Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to say a few words on this matter. I hope that when the G8 countries meet in Edinburgh they will make a total commitment to the cancellation of debt for heavily indebted poor countries. I welcome the publicity towards this end generated by people like Bob Geldof, but I want no more excuses or half promises from the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, or the Taoiseach.

Ireland has had a proud record through its church workers and individuals down through the centuries. Even at a time when we could not afford it, our people supported those who were worse off and were in desperation.

The name of Ireland has been damaged by the fact that, while the Taoiseach gave a solemn commitment on the world stage to get his man elected, in the end he failed to deliver the 0.7% of GNP he promised to devote to overseas development aid. Six months ago the people showed their total and absolute commitment to the people of south-east Asia when they fundraised and gave personal donations, shaming the Government into committing sizeable sums in aid. The way it was given, one would almost think the Minister was losing out and not the compliant taxpayer. I call on the Taoiseach to reaffirm Ireland's commitment to the 0.7% target when he attends the forthcoming UN Millennium Summit. When he returns from that summit he must put in place mechanisms to deliver on the commitment within two years.

The Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, has questioned what an alternative Government would do or how it would work if it was constituted from different parties.

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