Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I will revert to Ms McKenna and the rest of the panellists, particularly Ms Sidi, for final comments. The reason we were very keen to have this meeting in June was to give us the opportunity to reflect on the witnesses' submissions and to produce a report for the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance in the context of the forthcoming budget. Unusually, we seem to be having a very intense and sharp national debate on the budget in the context of issues in our economy and society.

We are very keen to produce a submission to the Government not only to protect the budget of these organisations but also to acknowledge increasing food prices and needs, as well as what Mr. Byrne has said in respect of the widening gap between pledges and action. Unfortunately, that may not be solely related to climate and it could well be referred to in terms of our aggregate increases in the overseas development aid budget.

We will revert to the organisations about the overall messaging they can provide us with and how best they see the ever-increasing needs being met against the background of ever-competing interests, and the need for us at least to ring-fence budgets. We must also acknowledge the fact that ring-fencing of budgets just for this year will not be sufficient, having regard to climate on the one hand and conflict on the other in more and more areas around the world.