Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I agree with what Deputy Mitchell said about the lack of interest and action in respect of the young girls.

The delegation painted a grim and alarming picture of another African country that is rich in natural resources. The country has arable land yet its people are starving and dying from illnesses that we take in our stride.

I have a couple of questions and one of them is on land grabs. A lot of the land deals have been done by local government or whoever and the farmers are the last to know about them. What is Christian Aid's experience of the situation? Have consultations taken place with the people beforehand?

Recently we met some people from Justice for Colombia and the Latin American Solidarity Group who spoke about land grabs in Colombia. Some of the peasant farmers said that they can produce enough food for themselves and their villages but the land is grabbed so they must leave and go into urban areas to buy food. Does the same cycle happen in Angola? Where are there land grabs? Is it for food, biofuels or wood and timber? Is the trade agenda of Ireland, the EU and the western world too corporate-led instead of sustainable, inclusive growth and regulated investment? What is Christian Aid's understanding of the European partnership agreements? How much do people know about them?

The Sierra Leone report called for a review of all mining contracts and tax incentives. Is that within Sierra Leone? Has Christian Aid sought support on the issue from other governments?

Let me turn to budgets. I do not know which way the balance is in favour of. There has been a lack of capacity building on the part of governments and parties and to negotiate fairly. How is that balanced with corruption? Is it overbalanced or imbalanced? We want budgets to be fair and transparent and governments to be held accountable. We know that there is a lack of parliamentary oversight which is something that some of us are aware of through our involvement through AWEPA. Did the departure of the other NGOs from Angola ring alarm bells with Christian Aid? NGOs such as Trócaire, Concern, Oxfam and Christian Aid will remain.