Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent)
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I congratulate the Minister of State. We took part in many debates previously in the Seanad so I am delighted to see him in this role. I will pick up on a couple of points about the financing for development event in Madrid. As has been identified, the cuts in USAID are very substantial. We are also seeing substantial cuts from our EU colleagues. These are significant cuts. I agree with one of the previous speakers who said there is a short-sightedness in rerouting all money to defence and cutting development aid. It is similar to the idea of cutting social cohesion funding to spend on defence instead. Development aid is the key to social cohesion internationally. It is very important in preventing conflict, as well as saving lives. In that context, it would be useful to hear more about what Ireland can do to advocate and press for this. The Minister of State mentioned the focus on maternal health, which I welcome, but I am concerned that we do not just focus on a specific area but on the volume issue. It is not solely about where the spend is; it is also around the fact that the level of aid in itself being cut has a huge knock-on effect.

Regarding the debt, I note that France has started a commission to consider its debt relationship with Haiti. France is also proposing a 40% cut in its development aid. The question of debt becomes very pressing with the cuts we are seeing. Another aspect that falls into the financing space for development is the question of climate finance and loss-and-damage finance. I am also on the climate committee and we have emphasised that climate finance is separate from loss and damage. They should not be coming out of our overseas development budget, although they are crucial areas of financing for development. Of course, loss and damage is particularly pertinent when we look to Haiti and the idea of countries paying back a former coloniser, effectively, for their independence. We know that we had the history of former slave owners being paid reparations, while former slaves were not. Many parallels have been drawn by countries in the global south with the idea of risk management for the major corporations in terms of climate movement not being matched by basic financing for those who have been impacted and who did least to cause it. In terms of that question, the Minister of State might talk on climate and how we ensure that funding and the development funding that is needed is maintained and is strong.

I will finish on two very quick points. Others have mentioned the concern about the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. To add to the discussion, apparently the CEO of the foundation has now quit. He said that the organisation did not adhere to humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. Maybe it would be useful to think about how we chart things forward regarding this urgent issue of humanitarian aid in that context.

Regarding the diaspora, we are seeing a lot of very heavy-handed methods by immigration control services in the United States. Is there appropriate and sufficient consular and other supports for our emigrants? There is a lot of fear among migrants from many countries in the United States at the moment. I will leave it at that for now.