Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

All members referred to the target of 0.7% of GNI by 2030, which we are very ambitious to achieve. We need to be cognisant that it is an increase of approximately €100 million to €130 million per annum, moving from €707 million at the moment to about €2.5 billion by 2030. As Deputy Darragh O'Brien pointed out, the political support is already apparent from everyone in this room and from the political parties. I would argue that the public is equally supportive. Much of that public support stems from our history as a people. Reflecting on our history, we feel the need to reach out to communities and countries across the world in a spirit of solidarity and to respect that many countries are embarking on a journey upon which we embarked more than 100 years ago.

We have garnered considerable experience from that, particularly in the area of education. We have travelled a considerable journey in the past 50 years following the landmark decision by Donogh O'Malley in 1966. When I attended a pledging conference for education in Africa held in Dakar recently, it was wonderful to be able to reflect upon that experience and to commit to €25 million, to double our commitment to the global partnership for education over the next three years to reflect our history of having an educational landscape that changed Irish society and the Irish economy forever. It is an opportune time.

I agree wholeheartedly with Deputy O'Brien that we will need to nail down that definitive, staged, incremental move. Ultimately, that will happen as part of the White Paper process and members of the committee will have a critical role to play in that. I agree with the Cathaoirleach that the committee's report is a fantastic starting point to develop the White Paper strategy in coming months and it will feature heavily in that.

I had expected many of the members to voice concerns over Turkey. The resources we are providing in Turkey are not being used in any context for either security measures or border control. I want to make that clear. Of the €3 billion committed to programming under the facility, €60 million or 2% has been committed to the Turkish Directorate General of Migration Management to support migrants upon their return to Turkey, covering food, health care, transport and accommodation expenses. Some €20 million or 0.67% has been committed to the International Organization for Migration for its work in enhancing the capacity of the Turkish coastguard to carry our search and rescue operations in an effective manner. I want to make clear that none of our resources are being used for any security or border control matters. In addition to our active participation in the steering committee, Ireland has placed an officer from the development co-operation division of the Department in our embassy in Ankara with the specific brief to cover the humanitarian response to the Syrian crisis, including that facility for refugees in Turkey.

Deputy Crowe spoke about oversight in general and in particular relating to the European Development Fund, EDF. EU development assistance, including the EDF, is subject to various forms of rigorous monitoring and evaluation by a number of separate bodies: the European Court of Auditors, the EU's results-oriented monitoring and external independent review system, the EU's own evaluation unit, ultimately the European Parliament, and member states, obviously including Ireland. There is a significant audit and oversight structure in place to ensure that every cent we contribute to that is spent wisely and effectively.

Deputy Crowe also asked about the untied aspect. I can confirm that all the funds we channel through the European Union are used solely and uniquely for untied aid. That is a stipulation we include in any commitment we make.