Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted they are here. In that respect, I fully support the motion and the Government's amendment to it.

I want to slightly shift the focus of the debate. I have a healthy scepticism of promises which cannot be kept. The Taoiseach, in all sincerity, meant to keep that promise on behalf of the Irish people. It is regrettable that circumstances have dictated otherwise. I hope everybody here on an all-party basis, the NGO sector and civil society will be able to encourage the Government to be as courageous as it possibly can in fulfilling its commitment to meet the 0.7% target at the earliest possible date — I mean a good deal earlier than 2015.

I want to focus on the issue of trade. We cannot have aid — we can but it will not work — without trade. I was interested to note that today the Minister of State, Deputy Ahern, in speaking at a function in Farmleigh mentioned that central to Ireland's approach and that of our EU partners is a commitment to respond positively to the concerns of developing countries. He said this is considered to be an essential part of the Doha development agenda and it is clear that there will be no successful conclusion of the negotiations unless it is shown that developing countries are being treated fairly.

Trade, aid and development is very much a coherent package. Ireland has a good record. It is a pity we are arguing among ourselves about how the implementation of aspects of this policy are to be furthered but I believe this will be resolved and we will be able to return to an agreed agenda on a way forward in supporting Africa, South America, Vietnam, East Timor and many others who have benefited from our support and we have benefited, in turn, from our involvement in communities in those countries.

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