Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I would like the Tánaiste to arrange for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to come to the House some day and outline how Irish Aid funding is disbursed.

On the issue raised by Deputy Higgins, in coming to a conclusion on the procedure he would follow with respect to the legislation, the Minister stated last week that he had discussions with NGOs and that these discussions were an influential factor in making his decision. I have not been able to establish that any NGO advised him to take the route he is taking.

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