Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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I will not use the full minute. I am the Sinn Féin spokesperson on foreign affairs and a TD for Cork South-Central.

I will take a slightly different approach from Deputy Ó Fearghaíl's and ask just one question at a time. I echo the respect for the professionalism and hard work of the Department of foreign affairs staff. I mention in particular - it happens very often under very difficult circumstances - the two diplomats who were in that situation in Jenin, doing their duty not only on behalf of Ireland but also on behalf of the world. I extend our condemnation of what happened but also our thanks to the diplomats for putting themselves in that difficult situation, at home and abroad.

Irish Aid is a project that has done a great deal of good. It is a model that emphasises tangible benefits to people on the ground. Unfortunately, we are in a very difficult scenario at the moment. The cuts in USAID have left a gap that I am not sure anyone can fill, and they will have huge implications. My first question is about one particular area that I know is of concern to people. It was briefly mentioned in the note and relates to AIDS prevention and supporting people with AIDS. The number of people who have died of AIDS or who were newly infected with AIDS has dropped very significantly since the mid-nineties. Now, many more people are living with AIDS, that is, they are able to continue living, and far fewer people are being infected than at the peak around 1995. I understand that is one of the areas where there is a big concern, so I ask for the Minister of State's reaction in that regard.

I ask him to also develop his point about maternal healthcare. We have a shared passion for maternal healthcare. Ireland has travelled a long distance but has still a bit to travel in that area. As regards the risks that exist, the Minister of State gave the example of pre-eclampsia but there are many other issues as well. I ask him to expand on those comments.

I might come in with one more question before we finish.