Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I am delighted to hear the Minister of State say we shall be on target for the 0.7% of GNP in 2012, if I heard him correctly. Does he have any projected figures as to what the funding might be for 2009 and 2010? I have seen figures in the past for those years based on certain growth rates. I acknowledge that the economy has contracted and the figure will decrease. However, he might be able to give the House some indication.

Bearing in mind that the economy will contract, where will the cutbacks fall as regards the granting of aid? Will it affect the NGOs or the programme countries and how does he envisage doing that? Also, I am sure the Minister of State will be very anxious to deal with some of the recommendations in the Hunger Task Force report. Does he see movement towards aid for food production and the World Food Programme, in compliance with one of the report's recommendations?

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