Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We can have a timeframe built in until 2030 but we can examine the issue in a comprehensive way and if that means having a multi-annual budget in a two to three year or four year time period, that is a worthwhile suggestion.

The very difficult times since 2011 must be noted. When I first heard the figure I had to ask if it was right. We invested €3.8 billion since 2011. That is a massive injection when we consider the need this year for the humanitarian interventions is for $20 billion just to deal with the crisis this year. That is a significant contribution. While taxpayers here were going through a very difficult time, they were still contributing to the global needs in terms of the humanitarian crisis. That has to be noted.

I have a note on the reconstruction of Gaza.

In response to the humanitarian situation, Ireland has provided €2.5 million to the emergency appeal of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees. This support has helped to provide urgently needed food, shelter and medical aid to thousands of families. A further €500,000 was recently approved by the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, for the Gaza emergency appeal and will fulfil the pledge of €2.5 million made by Ireland at the international Gaza restructuring conference in October 2014. This will bring the total contribution to the 2014 Gaza crisis to €3 million.

As a new Minister, I will be relying a lot on Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan's experience of Africa. I have never been there but I am really looking forward to going in two weeks' time. I had a great opportunity at the Ireland-Africa forum to meet many people from the continent. As the Lesotho ambassador pointed out, the forum had the biggest representation from Africa in five years, so something good is happening in that partnership and it needs to continue. The Deputy also mentioned the green climate fund, for which €2 million has been provided through the Department of Finance. In the context of our commitment to overseas aid, we will work together on the question of the amount as a percentage of gross national income. The embassy in Lesotho was closed on 31 October 2014 following the reappraisal of Ireland's wider diplomatic network and the need to make the most effective use of limited resources, as the Deputy will know. I was in the constituency of Deputy Darragh O'Brien on Tuesday and saw a very interesting project at Portmarnock community school. The ambassador of Lesotho was there. People looking for a confidence-building exercise in addressing global problems will see it there as it is a very practical initiative. The council has been engaged and young people in the school are developing apps. They are looking at mapping a country that is a long way away from us. A lot of it is done remotely - they do not have to get on a plane but can do it using the ICT mechanisms we have. It is a very interesting project and is an example of the voluntary work and practical measures that are being taken outside our financial commitments. Teagasc is involved in partnership exercises relating to food. Africa can supply enough food to feed the world, not just Africa, and all of these measures can help. The Deputy also asked about untied aid, and we will remain committed to that.

Deputy Durkan stressed the importance of meeting local parliamentarians. Tax issues were raised, and there are many areas on which we need to work at a global level, such as in the UN and the EU institutions. There are, however, practical measures we can take. I saw some statistics recently about the provision of radiotherapy services, chemotherapy and smear testing, and these are areas on which we can work closely. I would be very happy to support any practical measures suggested by committee members.

The ratification of EU economic partnership agreements, EPAs, was also mentioned. Sine the conclusion in 2014 of three EPAs with west Africa, the east African community and the southern African development community, the EU and its member states have been working with 27 African countries to achieve ratification by 1 October. Ireland has played its part in this process, signing the west African EPA in December 2014, which was approved by the Dáil last November. The southern African development community EPA was signed on 10 June in Botswana, and EU member states signed the east African community EPA on 20 June. Discussions are ongoing on a date for the formal signature ceremony in east Africa.

The Department has to look at a regional approach to this and measures are in place in this respect. If Deputies need any further information on this we can certainly supply it.

Deputy McLoughlin asked about decreases in Vote 27 relating to consultancy services and certain administrative services. The major need is for a follow-up to humanitarian crises and the peace and stability fund is up by 27%, while the rapid response fund is up 100% and recovery assistance is up by €5.3 million. The big measures involve dealing with a situation at a given time, such as have arisen owing to 65 million people being displaced because of conflict in vulnerable countries, such as South Sudan and Yemen, and devastating climatic issues arising from El Niño in southern Africa which are outside our control. The Department has great capacity in the shape of its relationship with its partner aid organisations which, as members have said, have done tremendous work and we will continue that work.

Deputy Grealish asked about missionaries. I did some research into a certain missionary who left Bangor and ended up in Bobbio in Italy in 516 AD, his name Columbanus, and his work can be seen in France and Austria. This is in our nature and is part of who we are. We like to give, to travel and to help people in need and the Deputy is absolutely correct about the doors this activity opens, something which is also evidenced by our nuns and priests who went abroad. It is important to point out that €15.5 million has gone to Misean Cara, an organisation which does great work in health intervention and education.

I was also asked about auditing. We have an evaluation audit unit in the Department which is independent and reports to the Secretary General. It is important that it is independent and robust so that we ensure taxpayers' money is spent wisely. Deputy Durkan said it was important to see for oneself what the situation was in certain areas. He referenced Turkey and has concerns in this area. He made the point that time was not on our side and suggested that, while 2030 might seem a long way away, it is only 14 years. It was 14 years ago that I was elected to the Seanad but it feels like yesterday and 14 years fly by. Time is not on our side and we have serious problems. The agreed sustainable development goals, SDGs, were led by Ireland and co-facilitated by the Kenyan Government to implement the practical measures required. I asked Charles Boamah of the African Development Bank for his perspective on the 700 people from Syria who died in the Mediterranean. He told a story about a man he met who survived the crossing. He asked him why he had risked his life and the gentleman replied that he did not risk his life - he was already dead. I think everybody in this committee gets that. I think everybody in this country, from primary schools to secondary schools, gets it too.

A school in Skibbereen, Kilcoe national school, came up with a great project which won the national competition. The project was called "There is No Planet B". Irish people get it both at home and abroad. There is a duty on all of us to address the issues.

I look forward to working with the committee. I will report back from my trip to Uganda. I hope the committee will stay in touch. The officials want to work with members also because they know the 14 years until 2030 is a small chunk of time in which to anticipate a population growth of up to 9 billion. I wish you well in your deliberations, Chairman. I know your heart is in the right place and that we can continue this engagement.