Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join in the words of welcome and I compliment the ambassador on the excellent work he has done in co-chairing the proceedings. Like Senator Norris, I want to refer to the issue of the process being voluntary, politically and legally, but not binding. What structure is in place to regularly review progress? Is sanction provided for against countries that do not step up to the plate? My other question relates to the commitment on overseas development aid and achieving the target of 0.7% of gross national income. I read recently that the ambition is to achieve that by 2030, within the lifetime of the sustainable development goals. That represents a missed opportunity, because it is too wide a timeframe and it is not aggressive enough.

I support Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan on the tax justice issue. I welcome the indication the permanent representative has given that the Addis Ababa conference and the document will seriously examine that issue, because if a balance is to be struck between developing and developed countries, this has to be seriously addressed, as well as the involvement of the private sector, because we must ensure it acts ethically, particularly in developing countries.