Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I welcome many of the contributions that have been made to this debate. Members of the House will be aware that tomorrow is a landmark day when the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, will hopefully see something through in terms of this hybrid force that has been spoken about. I do not wish to minimise the situation or say things that may be inappropriate, but Ireland has contributed €16 million towards this effort and cannot be criticised in this regard. We cannot praise enough the role of our NGOs, including GOAL and Concern, and many others that operate in the most difficult environment in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan. They are doing great work, which is supported by the Government and the people.

As regards the investment issue, the Government is hamstrung by legislation in that the pension agency has statutory independence. However, it has adopted the principles of proper investment, as dictated by the UN. I agree with Deputies Gormley, Boyle, Woods and Carey that we need to use this leverage in the future. It is imperative that we should have control over this matter. When other humanitarian disasters and denial of human rights occur, we cannot be left exposed on this issue. I totally agree on those matters.

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