Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That commitment absolutely still stands and I fully support it. I fully acknowledge the way in which the NGOs have worked with us. They have welcomed the increases that are there. Fundamentally, I want to achieve that target. I want us to continue to work towards achieving that target. However, for me, it will always be about a real and meaningful increase in the money that is available for me, as a Minister of State, to distribute with the support of the Government to the areas that need it most. I cannot distribute a percentage of GNI*, no matter how good it sounds, if I do not have real extra money in my budget, year in and year out, to allow me to increase the amount available.

The people of the Horn of Africa are in a crisis situation. They want to know that Ireland is increasing its budget and that money is going where it is needed most. I will continue to focus on that. The commitment is there and we have not in any way backed away from our intention to achieve that. I was pleased that we were able to get €1.2 billion this year. It is the biggest budget we have ever had. It shows that for us, as a Government, there is total commitment to continuing not only to honour our international obligations in this area but to increase the funding and support. We are going to take measures, particularly in the area of adaptation finance, an increase in climate financing and the introduction of that money. Internationally, we have had success in respect of loss and damage. We are playing a strong role in ensuring we make our resources available to the people who need them most.