Liz O'Donnell (Dublin South, Progressive Democrats)

The question Deputy Higgins tabled, as outlined by him today, is a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs. This issue of the United Nations Convention against Corruption is central to the furtherance of our development programme in overseas countries, a programme which has been recently expanded, and this House is concerned about corruption. This issue has been raised domestically and internationally as contingent and relevant to the expansion of our programme which will amount to €1.5 billion when it reaches its full capacity of 0.7%. It is a matter for urgent debate in this House. It is fundamentally a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs. In domestic terms, when the convention is due to be implemented by legislation, it is a matter for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform but, in terms of debate and legitimate questioning of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, it is a matter for that Minister.

On the second matter——

See this speech in context