Dr. Edward Lahiff:

There is quite a mouthful there. I thank the Deputy and the Senator for their questions. The question of the MDGs is critical. While it is often right to focus down at village level and look at the detail - Irish Aid has a very good track record in doing that - we also need, as I am sure the members will appreciate, to focus on the big international issues. Ireland has a role to play in the reformulation of the MDGs, the so-called post-2015 agenda. That relates to issues not only of aid but also of global governance and trade. Senator Norris spoke about the global population and the key words I would use in that respect are the sustainability agenda. The sustainability agenda is absolutely central for the post-2015 agenda. Academics and activists can play their part but we need governments to step up and show leadership. Last week's conference was a critical marker in showing Ireland's seriousness about trying to set a global agenda, particularly around the two key linked issues of hunger and climate change. Ireland has staked out a role for this and it should not hold back. It should continue this not only on the hunger agenda but also on fairer trade regimes and the reform of international financial systems - those things which have a much greater impact on the lives of the poor than any particular feeding or health programme. Those big global issues feature prominently in our teaching, but we would just encourage the Government to keep pushing in that respect.