Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Earlier today, I was at two events, one of which concerned the global hunger index and the other the girl child. I have these in mind making my contribution. I listened to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, talking about sustainable development. He made a point about the commitment to overseas development aid and millennium development goals and stated our overseas development aid programme focuses on promoting sustainability, food and nutrition, and security, and that the new, more practical approach will create greater opportunities for the meaningful involvement of the private sector.

Having been at a conference on Africa recently, at which we were examining the wealth of that Continent, particularly in terms of minerals and natural resources, I noted the conflict that can arise between those who wish to exploit natural resources and those who are trying to use the land to produce food. We must be conscious of ethical engagement if there are Irish companies involved in meaningful trade. We must not go down the route of many other countries and multinational companies by engaging in a land grab that does not have the best interest of the African communities at heart. The question of trade, therefore, is broad.