Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I wish to say a few words about that programme. It is the envy of the world and is one the most highly regarded programmes in the world because we focus all our efforts on the poorest of the poor. Some 80% of what we spend on the bilateral programme goes to the poorest countries, the least developed countries of sub-Saharan Africa. I am proud of that programme which has been built and tripled in size since 1997. Under this budget the highest percentage increase in any area of spending has occurred in the area of overseas aid. We have achieved a 24% increase in our spending budget line. That is an enormous increase and poses enormous challenges for the future.

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