Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I thank Ms Keatinge and her colleagues. We now move towards next steps. I thank members for their proposals. I acknowledge the proposal from Deputy Stanton that we would write to the Government. I take it that it is agreed. Ms Keatinge mentioned that we could write to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, who is not our line Minister, but I acknowledge what Ms Keatinge has said and his pivotal role in the Government. I think that we should write to the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath. Is that agreed? Agreed. What should we say? I acknowledge what Senator O'Reilly said about a net increase, especially in times of Covid. I acknowledge what Deputy Clarke said about advising against any form of reduction or cut. I acknowledge what Deputy Clarke said about having a more consistent, certain or definite roadmap or pathway towards the 0.7% GNI each year. I acknowledge what the Minister, Deputy Coveney, said to us in that regard last year. Nevertheless, I think that Deputy Clarke makes an important point, which should be included in our letter. I acknowledge the proposal from Deputy Leddin about multi-annual funding. We raised this with the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and Minister of State, Deputy Brophy. It is an important point in the context of the presentation and what Ms Keatinge and colleagues said. We should revisit this issue and strongly state that our committee believes that this is an important way forward.

I advise members and guests that we will have an opportunity to engage with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, or the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, or both prior to the budget. Again, all the commentary this morning, including the presentations in writing and otherwise, will certainly feed into that process. It is likely the budget will be announced in mid-October but at the end of August and during the course of September we should have the opportunity to engage directly with the Ministers. If that does not happen, we will engage indirectly and segue into the submissions that came in the context of our meetings. I acknowledge the support of Senator Craughwell. If members are happy to draft a letter along those lines, we will do so.