Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In some ways, this is the good news part of a budget in terms of what we do, even when we cannot afford to do so, to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. It is for this reason we have the reputation around of the world of being a charitable people. The Minister of State will not hear any criticism from me on the issue of untied aid. I am around long enough to remember the commitments that were made around reaching the development goals of 0.7%. We are still far behind where we should be in that regard. There is no point reiterating the criticisms in regard to our not reaching that goal. It is laudable that once again we have set out a target. Hopefully, we will reach it. It is a big commitment for Ireland.

Based on the figures presented by the Minister of State, this would entail moving from the more than €800 million we give at present to nearly €2 billion. My view has always been that it should be more than that but that is the minimum.

The argument I have relates to some of the tied aid, specifically to the European Development Fund and to where some of the European Union's development and co-operation budget goes. The amount this year from us has been increased by 12%. Where it is spent well and in line with our own commitments and funding, it is laudable, but there are questions in this regard. I know my colleague, Deputy Crowe, has raised concerns about the accountability and transparency of the European Development Fund in particular, and there is a particular concern about the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa. It is the main financial instrument for the EU's political engagement with African partners and of late it has become very focused on migration rather than development, although the two are tied. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan mentioned the position in Libya, with people fleeing horrendous wars or humanitarian disasters in Africa ending up drowning in the Mediterranean. If they do not drown, they are sent back to Libya. Some of the money that should be spent on development in the countries that these people are fleeing is being spent on a humanitarian crisis in some ways in Libya, as well as in propping up a crazy regime that is guilty of mass human rights abuses.

Deputy Crowe also asked me to speak to subhead A5, relating to voluntary contributions to the UN and other development assistance. There was a presentation in the audiovisual room yesterday by Financial Justice Ireland, which had a speaker from Jubilee Caribbean, pointing out that the vast majority of countries that have been devastated by disasters caused by climate change are heavily indebted. These countries are not the cause of climate change but are suffering the consequences at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars. These countries, which are already heavily indebted, must go further into debt because they are forced to borrow more. The question is how we can help countries that are so indebted. Will we help with additional aid or could we call for a moratorium on debt or debt forgiveness for the countries affected by climate change?