Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are discussing Uganda today and I hope that we will not be back here another day discussing a similar incident in some other programme country. In that context, there would be some merit in working with other donor countries, many of whom are EU members, to send out a message that there are rigorous and robust systems in place to ensure the effectiveness of the substantial aid programme.

Those mentioned are predominantly European Union members as well. We could work with them to send out a message calling for a rigorous and robust system to ensure the effectiveness of the substantial aid programme whether from individual member states of the European Union or the European Union. The message should go out everywhere that the misuse or abuse of funding will not be tolerated under any circumstances. If that message came from the European Union and other countries and it was a united and strong message from all donor countries it would be a good thing. None of us wishes to see money provided by the British or Danish taxpayer put to misuse in those countries or for the people for whom it is intended not being the beneficiaries of such investment.