Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

I would like to elaborate explicitly on my initial question. The information pack produced as an introduction to the work of Development Co-operation Ireland is attractive and colourful. Neither the substantial pack nor the handy guide that accompanies it contains a reference to a target of allocating 0.7% of GNP or GNI by any given year. The pack refers to the UN target of 0.15% of aid being allocated to the poorest nations of the world, however. Ireland has achieved that target by giving most of its aid to sub-Saharan Africa. I accept that the poorest nations in that region deserve our attention.

I will repeat the explicit question I originally asked. Why has the Department of Foreign Affairs produced an information pack about the work of Development Co-operation Ireland without referring to the most solemn commitment on overseas development aid that has ever been offered to the international community? The commitment was given by the Taoiseach at the UN in September 2000 and was repeated in the manifestos of each of the Government parties at the last general election. The Taoiseach told me last week that the social partners have signed up to the commitment. Why was it not mentioned in the information pack? Why has an attempt been made in the pack to draw attention to the 0.15% commitment? It seems to be a type of subterfuge.

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