Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am a bit at sea in regard to Senator Daly's interpretation of the situation. I would think that being part of the European Union makes us part of a bigger bloc and much more. We are part of the €30.5 billion of aid. I presume the degree to which we control the spend is shared among our EU colleagues and, accordingly, benefits should accrue to us in terms of our membership of the European Union. I would not concede for a moment that we have little or no influence. We have considerable influence over what happens to the money we contribute.

The development of road networks is important in terms of transport and infrastructure. In regard to the TanZam railway, what would be the cost and benefit of restoring that? Is there a cost benefit analysis for that? This is rail as opposed to road infrastructure, but both are required. What would be the benefit of restoring the railway, for both the European aid programme and the country to which we are donating?

Mr. Cotter is correct with regard to Chinese investment in land and we have seen that at first hand. How does European Union aid compare with Chinese aid or that of other donors worldwide? The European Union is positive, supportive and has the right idea and motives, but perhaps not every other country may have. To what extent does the European Union get credit for its aid and do we expect comparative reciprocal arrangements to those of other countries providing aid in Africa?