Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

We should never say that something is impossible. The 0.7% target was set as an objective internationally. It is important that we all remain focused on that objective and make it clear that it is our intention to reach it. There is no doubt that achieving that target by 2015, given our economic circumstances, will be challenging. The immediate objective is, as far as is practicable, to maintain the programmes that we are committed to and to ensure whatever adjustment we make in our budget, as we have done this year, does not adversely affect the world's poorest people, including the commitments, as the Deputy stated, to the relief of hunger and distress on the Horn of Africa.

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