Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)

The Deputy is correct that the budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is vast. In terms of priority, this is decided by our value systems. It is very clear in the Department's mission statement where our priorities are. This is all part of the Global Ireland strategy. It is multifaceted. It concerns boosting our diversification of trading relationships, our responsibility to our diaspora, protecting the furthest behind first and looking after Ireland's interests across the world. Depending on where in the world this might be, our interests might be slightly different. It is key to stress, however, that our interests should always be aligned with our value system, which is quite distinct.

In terms of where we work in Irish Aid, the list stretches to about 13 different countries. As I said, all bar three of them are in sub-Saharan Africa. Some have been long-established partner countries, while others are slightly newer. The Chair referred to his work with the former Minister of State, Tom Kitt. He brought Sierra Leone into the Irish Aid programme during one of the two times he was the Minister of State with responsibility in this area. He is now lobbying intently for Haiti to be brought back into the programme, as will be well known. These are the sort of areas in respect of how we prioritise. Again, though, as the Deputy knows as well as I do, this is all dominated and generated by the programme for Government.