Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Professor Walsh mentioned in his presentation this morning the destruction of Ireland's reputation. He said investing more heavily in and moving towards humanitarian aid is destroying Ireland's international reputation. Perhaps I misunderstood Professor Walsh. Could he expand on that? He said he sees a weakness in Irish Aid's involvement in various projects in various countries. What does he mean by that? Is he saying that if there is a crisis or tragedy owing to a famine, tsunami or earthquake, for example, we should not make money available to the affected country? Is he saying there should be some sort of separation? Is he saying humanitarian funding should be coming from some other source? If so, what is it?

Professor Walsh referred to the importance of universities and schools. He also referred to the importance of travelling to African countries and others. Does he believe it is important to have a two-way process that entails the groups he deals with travelling to Ireland?

South Dublin County Council, my local authority, was involved in a project in Ethiopia. It dealt with water supply, sanitation, waste collection, educational facilities, public realm improvements and so on. It was partly funded by the council and there was also support from Irish Aid. The attitude was that the traffic involved a two-way process, including visits to Ireland. It was said that, as a result of such engagement, friendships were formed and lessons learned on both sides. How important is this?

Irish Aid is involved in budgetary oversight in many countries. In Ireland, budgetary oversight is a new development, involving Opposition parties etc. Does Professor Walsh believe it should not be a matter of Europeans going to Africa or other parts of the world in the belief that we have all the answers? It is important to have a two-way process and for parliamentarians to meet one another.

Professor Walsh referred to people participating in programmes through UCD. In this regard, how important is it to have accommodation for graduates and others coming to UCD? I ask this because of the accommodation crisis. The Institute of Technology Tallaght is involved in a project that involves graduates and undergraduates going to Kenya to work in the slums to gain experience.

Professor Walsh referred to the referendum and the public. It is clear that the public will not give us a blank cheque. Therefore, it is important to have oversight of projects. The difference between bilateral and multilateral arrangements must be considered. EU institution-related overseas development aid expenditure was €188 million. No one has ever appeared before this committee to say where exactly that funding is going. How important is it to have such oversight? It is important for us, as parliamentarians, not only because we are supposed to engage in oversight but also because we have to be able to answer questions in communities on what the money is being spent on. Clearly, we need to know that. How important is oversight to Professor Walsh?

Professor Walsh mentioned the UN target of 0.7%. A suggestion was made about political parties. How important is it for the Government to have a plan to reach the target? It is all very well for Opposition parties to say they would meet it but surely the most important point is that the Government should have a plan to do so. Up to now, we have not heard it.