Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

This is an important debate. All states have the responsibility to look after their citizens and respect and protect their human rights. One starts dealing with poverty issues in one's own back yard, and then in the wider and international community.

It really gets up my nose when I see and hear former or current colonial powers lecturing the world on poverty and injustice. It is nearly as bad as Bono lecturing us on world poverty when he will not even pay tax in his own country. It is time for these shapers and posers to get off the stage, stop lecturing and get on with finding real solutions to world poverty through foreign aid.

I wish to speak about poverty in our country, particularly the 100,000 children in consistent poverty in Ireland. There are also people forced to live in estates where drug dealing, violence and intimidation are part of their daily lives. This must form part of the wider debate on poverty and foreign aid.

A year ago, a devastating earthquake in Pakistan caused 73,000 deaths and left more than 3 million people homeless. Through organisations such as Concern, the Irish people made a direct response and had a major input into protecting and defending 158,000 people. A year on, we must be more supportive, and we should focus on the long-term work of helping people to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

I wish to use this opportunity to pay tribute and offer my sympathy to the family of former Deputy Niall Andrews, a former Minister and MEP who made a major contribution to fighting world poverty and helping the poor of the world. Niall was a strong light for the poor of the world, and he will be deeply missed by all parties and Members in this House.

Statistics indicate 800 million people are chronically malnourished in a world full of wealth and resources. This is unacceptable in this day and age with the amount of money being spent on armaments, particularly on nuclear weapons and the nuclear industry. A constituent, Mr. Seán Coleman, is involved in highlighting injustice against the people of Darfur. We must speak out about this and I urge Deputies to support aid to the poor and developing countries.

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