Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the team from Dóchas and I commend the work they have done and their part in collating information. They mentioned the level of support from Irish people for increases in aid. What other information have the witnesses collected on the views of the Irish public? Were any concerns raised about value for money or where money might be going? An issue which has been raised with me is the number of charities working, and whether there are too many charities, I will not say doing the same work, but there is a perception that there are different charities for different places. Do the witnesses have any comment on this? They may not wish to comment on it.

The issue of climate change has been touched on, as have the hugely important deals on targets struck this year. Are the witnesses somewhat concerned that sustainable development work in Africa is being overshadowed by the present crisis in Syria and the refugees? The focus has been on this. Is it overshadowing the important work being done in other areas? I am conscious of this because the news cycle all year has been about the boats arriving, the crisis in Calais, the marches of refugees through Europe and various problems in Sweden, Denmark and Germany with regard to the arrival of an influx of migrants.

With regard to climate change, while the agreement is legally binding, are the witnesses confident that it will work when it comes to it, when governments change and we have new presidents and regimes in various countries? Will there be an ability to deliver the requirements enacted in the climate change deal?