Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

Yes, but does that mean we are justified in borrowing €650 million just to reach a target which is arithmetically not possible at this stage? The Deputy and I both agree that the overseas aid programme is accepted and lauded internationally. We have stabilised it at 0.52%, which is ahead of the EU-15's target at this stage.

With regard to the Deputy's additional point, the Taoiseach made a commitment in the context of the Copenhagen conference at discussions in Brussels this week. That commitment was that Ireland would contribute €100 million towards the climate change-----

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