Mr. Dualta Roughneen:

It is a difficult question. We already have the UNCRPD. It is ratified and embedded in legislation. The responsibilities are there. Sometimes looking overseas and at the SDGs, countries can commit financially and make financial commitments, especially for overseas aid. They need to start looking to really get towards that 0.7% target but ultimately it is still a small portion. It is not just finances that are needed. We have to highlight the different situations different countries are in. Looking at it with a realistic lens, many of them are not going to be able to achieve those SDGs because they are in the midst of conflict. How can those conflicts be resolved? People do not have the answer to that. There sometimes has to be a realistic lens as regards where we are at.

SDGs can be achieved in some countries where the situation allows but we are looking at not achieving the goals in some countries to their fullest. We cannot always aim for the highest bar. We need to look at realistic, achievable targets as well. Sometimes that means small changes and sometimes it can be significant changes as well. We should try to target what is achievable and what is necessary right now. There can be a tendency sometimes to drift towards fatalism even within the sector and in the organisations I work with. We would love to see everything achieved by 2030 but we all have to make tough decisions on what we focus on, even as an organisation. CBM Ireland cannot cover every aspect of disability. We can only work in a certain number of countries. Our financial resources and human resources are limited. We would love to have much more resources but we work within the confines of our limitations and try to make the best use of them.

I sometimes despair at the words that can be used. I think "leave no one behind" is a great aim or objective but it takes a dedicated and targeted strategy. I would say in reply to Mr. Gaffey that we would really like to see Irish Aid develop a strong, clear strategy around what working with people with disabilities means and what disability inclusion means for the organisation. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office its UK equivalent, has a dedicated strategy around disability under international co-operation. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia has one as well and is probably the strongest advocate for disability inclusion in international co-operation in recent years. We would love to see something similar from Irish Aid for targeted funding in that direction, not just assessing to see if funding is disability inclusive but actually making targeted and strategic decisions on disability inclusion in its work.