Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

I apologise to the Acting Chairman. I remind the House that we are dealing with amendments to the Council of Europe Development Bank Bill. We have dealt with many other issues. When we took Committee Stage of the Bill, the same amendments were tabled but, unfortunately, Deputy Burton was not present. I oppose the amendments as I consider those referring to "the English language" to be unnecessary. If the intention was to emphasise that the text is in English and French, it was not necessary as the text in English is the official text of the document. If the intention was to indicate that the text is not in Irish, it must be noted that the Bill, as drafted, will facilitate the translation of the official text of the agreement into Irish. The amendment, as proposed, would mean that when the Bill, as passed, is translated, the only text that could be used would be the English text. The drafting in this regard is consistent with similar legislation. The other textual amendments are a matter of style and I am satisfied that the current drafting is appropriate.

I welcome the support in the House for overseas development aid but the comments that were made in this regard are not relevant to this Bill. Our contributions to the Council of Europe Development Bank are new and additional to our ODA contributions. I am proud to be part of an Administration that will contribute over €1.8 billion to overseas development aid over the next three years. This is a substantial contribution on behalf of a small economy.

On the issues raised about the accountability of the Council of Europe Development Bank, the €13 million we are paying to the bank is the cost of joining it. The bank is very accountable. It is an arm of the Council of Europe and is accountable thereto. It comprises members of the Council of Europe of which Ireland has been a member since the Council's foundation in 1949. In joining the bank we are completing our commitments to the Council of Europe and its work in Europe, including the countries in eastern Europe which are in dire need of our support.

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