Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I obviously disagree with the Deputy's last statement. However, in deference to the fact that he will not have much time to respond to my comments, I will answer his questions seriatim and in a rather quick-fire manner.

I clearly do not agree with Deputy O'Donnell because I started the White Paper process. We have had two meetings already, one in Limerick and the other in Waterford. It is a very healthy process. Unlike Deputy O'Donnell, I believe in consulting the public on what is a major area of Government policy, namely, overseas development aid. Ireland is now one of the top ten per capita contributors of overseas development aid in the world and it behoves us to consult the people rather than being so arrogant as to believe the people do not count and should not be involved in a consultative process. DeputyGormley probably agrees with me rather than Deputy O'Donnell on this matter.

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