Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No, but you would get a false presentation. You would get a percentage that is higher, which we actually could cut. We are talking theoretically here but, in real terms, every year we must incrementally increase the allocation because it matters to Ireland's security. In this country we are having a wider debate on inward migration and all of that but we must tackle issues at source.

To go back to what Deputy Clarke said about sustainable development goals, if people are hungry in countries or if climate change has impacts on countries, people will migrate. There are 1.5 million people from Syria in Lebanon, which has a population of over 5 million, and there have been huge migratory trails into Jordan. Apart from being humanitarian, providing assistance is the right thing to do. We need to help people, and help them at source in their own countries to create stable societies. The way the world is going at the moment is very challenging and the evolution of power politics is back. Just look at what is going on in Mali and elsewhere in Africa where there is a push for power, influence and so on. The global order is splitting somewhat and one can see that at the UN Security Council.

I think I have said enough. I heard what the Deputy said in respect of the embassy. I will keep the matter under review.