Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Curim fáilte roimh an Aire agus a chuid oifigeach. The Internet could probably lead you to believe that the sustainable development goals are a different set of things. People would find it difficult to argue against no poverty, innovation and infrastructure, peace and justice, movement on climate action and responsible consumption.

We are all aware of what is a very dangerous world at this point. There is an absolute necessity to deliver on the sustainable development goals. It is obviously very difficult with the huge cuts in USAID. There have been further cuts as Governments have prioritised other things.

We all have a responsibility to explain to the rest of the world not only that money put into overseas aid is worthwhile but also that more equal societies work better, both domestically and internationally. Legacy issues, a lack of democracy and unfair trading practices and rules built up over a long time can lead to immense poverty and to the issues that follow, including mass migration. On some level, we make every country better and the world a better place by delivering on the SDGs.

What can we do, and what needs to happen, at a European level specifically? We cannot control the administration in America. I imagine most people will look for the Minister of State’s view and a departmental view on what is ongoing in Gaza. With all the difficulties, it is very difficult to call it peace. Reference was made to Ukraine. The conflict there and the huge humanitarian disaster that is Sudan at the minute are all interlinked.