Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I did not consider it necessary to mention the target in the information booklet because I am involved in the final stages of a complex set of discussions with the Minister for Finance and others. The discussions, which relate to the determining of a new realistic and achievable timeframe within which the 0.7% target can be met, should be finished within the next month. As I said in response to questions from other Deputies, I hope Ireland can achieve the 0.7% target before 2015, which is the EU's deadline for the achievement of the target.

The 0.15% target was mentioned in the information pack because it is very interesting. While one often hears people talking about the 0.7% target, one rarely encounters a reference to the 0.15% target. Those who are knowledgeable about development matters believe that the 0.15% target is much more important in substantive terms. That Ireland has achieved the 0.15% target proves that its aid programme is very effective. Ireland received a great deal of praise in a peer group review that was conducted by the OECD in 2003.

Ireland's aid programme is well regarded internationally because half of its expenditure in the developing world is spent on the least developed countries on earth, which are found in sub-Saharan Africa. Some non-governmental agencies consider Ireland's overseas aid programme to be the best in the world. The 0.15% target was mentioned in the information booklet because Ireland is one of just six countries to have exceeded it. It is quite an important figure because it is an indicator of success in poverty reduction, which has been at the centre of Deputy Michael Higgins's political thinking throughout his career. I am rather bemused and quizzical because the Deputy has questioned the validity of the reference to the 0.15% target. As a lifelong socialist, the Deputy has dedicated himself to the cause of reducing poverty, domestically and internationally.

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