Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

I was interested to hear the reply to the earlier question. From a European Union member state perspective, we are doing quite well in making progress towards the 2030 agenda. However, there is a bit of a dichotomy in our adherence to our own standards, particularly in the environmental sector. How can we be praising ourselves for reaching out globally and helping other countries to reach their objectives while at the same time falling short, as Social Justice Ireland has said, on our own environmental targets? Should we not be setting an example? We are 11th out of 14 countries in environmental achievements.

On the overseas development aid side, we are getting close to the 0.7% target, which is to be welcomed. However, when you take away the cost of hosting the likes of Ukrainian refugees, that percentage goes way down. Some of our obligations to the Ukrainians exist because we are not providing military assistance to Ukraine. What is the Minister of State's view as to where we are without our contribution towards Ukraine?