David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I compliment Mr. O'Caoimh on his clear and lucid presentation. There are elements of hope in it. Deputy Brendan Smith has already raised a question about which I was concerned, but I would like to explore it a little further. I am talking about political bias. What is the nature of the bias? What measures can be taken to overcome that bias? Is there a way in which the committee can assist? He instanced particular products that were involved. Can he say something about the chocolate industry, which been a concern for this committee for some time? Personally, I have been very concerned about it.

It is staggering that in a short space of time the balance of trade has disimproved so drastically, with the export-import ratio increasing from 6:1 to 43:1. I do not think the majority of people, even politically aware people, understand that. Certainly, I was not aware that it was quite so dramatic. His explanation was about the paradox of what he described - accurately, I believe - as the trade trap, whereby, as producers make more raw goods, the prices of these goods decrease. This is something that needs to be addressed, and perhaps the committee could take it up.

I might broaden things out a little. I appreciate that both presentations are about trade. The intention is humanitarian and it is to make life better for people. Mr. O'Caoimh invokes the One World, One Future document. One of my concerns about that document is a complete absence of any reference to population policy. This committee needs to keep an eye on that and ensure this is under review. In particular, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade said on 21 February that the issue of gender equality and access to reproductive health care came out strongly in the public consultation on the review of the White Paper and will be addressed in the new policy. We have not heard the results of that public consultation or any of the submissions, and once again we are avoiding it. I say that because every year I go to the launch of the UN report on global population. We never mention population. We avoid it all the time. That has an economic impact in Africa. In case anybody thinks I am biased, may I say that I delight when I hear the population is declining in France, Britain, Germany or Ireland, because we do much more damage. It is still critical in Africa. If we adhered to all the millennium development goals to which we signed up in 2000, one of which was to make family planning universally available by 2015 as part of a broad approach to reproductive health and rights, we are doing so under cover. That would lead to a 27% drop in maternal deaths. We have wonderful women such as the women who are making jam.

There is an inarguable case for bringing that in. Mr. O'Caoimh's organisation is so valuable because it is not trading for profit but seeking a rebalancing in favour of Africa. This is an element that should not be neglected.