Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for being late to the meeting. I had another meeting scheduled. Unfortunately, I missed the start of this meeting and everything the witnesses have said. I have read the statements. I thank the witnesses for attending and thank and congratulate them for the work they do. I know people who work in overseas aid in other countries. Ireland's reputation is right up there with the best in the world. The people sitting across from us are very much at the coalface and involved in that. They are to be congratulated on that. I do not know if any of the witnesses have come up from Limerick, which I represent. Irish Aid is based in Limerick and we are very proud to have it in the city. We would like to see more Government Departments come to Limerick but we know Irish Aid is doing fantastic work from Limerick. As a city we want to support it in everything it does.

I have not yet heard commentary on yesterday's budget allocation. I would like to hear the witnesses' thoughts. I do not know how far they will go in that respect but it seems there has been quite a good increase for overseas aid. While we need to reach the target of 0.7% of GDP, the goalpost is moving because GDP keeps changing. We must, however, strive to achieve that target. I ask the witnesses to comment on how helpful the increase in overseas development aid will be. How important is this funding in pursuing the work they do overseas, especially in promoting the sustainable development goals in developing nations? I do not know where we are with regard to the 0.7% GDP target as of yesterday. Perhaps someone will let me know.