John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

The White Paper has been warmly received by the NGO community and I welcome many aspects of it. During the summer I was in New York with the Taoiseach and the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan. On my return I stated that the Taoiseach's speech had been well received at the UN. Ireland's good work is acknowledged, particularly by those in sub-Saharan Africa. Ireland is playing a major role in aid.

I refer to the comments made by Deputy Michael Higgins. I attended a conference on sustainability in Johannesburg in 2002 and it was clear that we were witnessing the end of history. There is now only one model of development — growth at all costs. Developing countries are taking on board all western values, which is fine as long as a certain number of people can benefit. We are seeing the development of a new elite in the post-apartheid era in South Africa. How long can this be sustained? There are high levels of corruption, wealth generation for a few people and great disparity between the rich and the extremely poor. This is a matter that must be addressed. We must think outside the box but it is not happening.

The matter of climate change is close to my heart but is being ignored. I have tabled questions to the Minister of State, who recognises the importance of the issue for development. The statistics are frightening and if the Minister of State believes there is a problem in Africa now, it will be more severe when the effects of climate change kick in. Climate change will result in hundreds of thousands of ecological refugees, major drought and starving people. There will be a high growth in malaria. By the 2080s there will be an additional 290 million people, a conservative estimate, suffering from malaria. The Government has not tackled this issue on an environmental basis or on a developmental basis. It has not considered the dire consequences for those people in Africa. Development agencies have been slow to consider this and I suggest that the Department of Foreign Affairs should have a climate change ambassador, as New Zealand has. Each member state needs to focus on climate change.

The Minister of State is aware that resources must be provided to Irish Aid. There is no point in farming out projects. Irish Aid must develop expertise, through institutional development, to deal with problems. The decentralisation to Limerick has caused problems but if the necessary investment is provided the White Paper will be implemented.

See this speech in context