Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)

With regard to Irish funding and seeking to get to 0.7%, Ms McKenna said we are 0.34% at present. How much is Ireland giving in aid and, of that, how much is going directly, which is the criterion on which Dóchas bases its position? Ms McKenna said we need €300 million per annum. In an ideal world, we would have it in the budget coming up in October – I should not say that because it should just be given – but in the world we live in what is a likely timeframe to get to the €300 million?

Ms McKenna stated when talking about the rate of 0.7% that we need to work more closely with groups on the ground. While I do not necessarily want to put her in an awkward position, could she state whether there an issue with the Government not working with those on the ground and with not getting a true reflection of what is happening? She stated 30% needs go through civil society. Can she outline the difference that would make in terms of the funding that would be given?

My last question is on the EU Presidency, which is coming up in just over a year. Can Ms McKenna outline what we should be doing or can do during that Presidency of six months?

I have two questions for Mr. Clarken. In his contribution he said that an expected 3 million citizens a year are going to die because of the reduction in aid. We had the Minister and departmental officials in a couple weeks ago and I asked them what was the impact on deaths and the impact in countries around word. They said it is too early to say. Is there research done on that figure, as given to us today by Mr. Clarken, by Oxfam or is there research done by anyone? Perhaps he will provide that research to the committee.

He spoke very frankly on Gaza. What is happening there at the moment is just depressing to be perfectly honest. He said the EU trade agreement will be a game changer. We had a delegation brought in by the Chairman last week. They named five issues that are critical but the two that are most critical are recognition of Palestine as a state and EU countries following Ireland, and the EU trade agreement. Again, I do not want to put the witnesses in a position that is quite political but in the programme for Government we have the occupied territories Bill and there are other issues in terms of bonds. What would work on the ground? Mr. Clarken said the EU trade agreement is a game-changer. In what way is that a game-changer?