Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)

I would like to see the table, but that is another story. Is the Minister of State not embarrassed by his recent statement welcoming the European Union's commitment to attaining the 0.7% GNP target by 2010? Will he give me a straight answer to a straight question? Will that target of 0.7% of GNP, which was reneged on by the Taoiseach after he gave that commitment at the United Nations in 2000, be reached by 2008, 2010, 2012 or 2015? Can the Minister of State tell me on what date this target will be reached? Is he embarrassed by the fact that he welcomed the EU's lead, while some months ago both he and the Taoiseach claimed they were taking the lead on overseas aid?

As regards the decentralisation of the development co-operation directorate, does the Minister agree that none of the ten management staff is among those who have offered to go to Limerick? The move to Limerick will decimate the DCD unit which has strong expertise in dealing with Third World countries and non-governmental organisations. The work of the DCD will be severely hampered by the attempts to force its staff out of Dublin where much of the work is being done.

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