Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)

I thank the Senator for that. The ethos driving our work in Irish aid is to reach the furthest behind first, that is, the most vulnerable people not just in a geographic sense but in the challenges life has befallen them through no fault of their own. This is what justifies the work. I was very taken by the Senator's comment that this is a role, a brief and a Department that has an opportunity to do a lot of good. It is a lot easier to explain to a seven-year-old and a five-year-old what I am doing than it was when I was talking about the platform directive at an EPSCO Council meeting. I do not say that to make light or be simplistic in any way but it is about getting the basic things first in this Department. Looking at our work with our diaspora and emigrant support programme, more than 60% of that goes to those who are most vulnerable and need the support most. Many Irish cultural, sporting and other opportunities are rightly supported but key in our foresight is those we owe a debt to as a nation and society.