Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

Too much of it is a bad thing.

I am a great believer in economies of scale. One can have one organisation, one job, or one organisation, ten jobs, but not ten organisations, one job, because the job would not be done as effectively as it could be. That is something we could consider. I know there is competition between aid agencies for media space and fund raising, and every one of them has very honourable intentions and makes a contribution and plays its own part. However, if the effort was more streamlined and focused, everybody might benefit.

The Minister of State referred to the challenges that face us in the future. Would it be possible to take refugees from Haiti and should this be considered? Would it be of benefit to the Haitian people? I am not sure of the answer but attempts are being made in Haiti to get those people in the capital to go back to the provincial regions from which they came to take the pressure off the capital. As I am sure the poverty in the regions is far greater than in the capital, this may not be an option. I am not sure this possibility is being examined or whether it could be a solution, but if it could alleviate the plight of Haitians, we should consider taking refugees from Haiti. God knows, we have enough empty residences throughout the country that could house people.

To recap, I empathise with the people of Haiti but I recognise that this alone is not good enough. I believe the Government has acted in a constructive and positive manner. There is a great willingness on behalf of Irish people to assist. Every time there is a disaster, no matter how bad things are at home, Irish people put the best foot forward. What we must do as a country is ensure that this energy and commitment is channelled in the right direction and that people have an opportunity, through a structured system, to go and to assist. I am not sure that this system is in place at present, with the best intentions in the world.

This event drives home the extent of the poverty that exists across the globe. It is Haiti today but it could be Indonesia, Thailand or somewhere else tomorrow. We should never lose sight of the fact that, irrespective of how bad matters are financially here, and there is a temptation to cut the aid budget which has suffered in the past two years, we should hold what we have at present. I say to the Minister of State to keep up the good work. Any support or assistance we on this side of the House can give will be given. When we put out statements or other information, it is not as a criticism but by way of trying to be constructive.

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