Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)

I thank the Minister of State for his positive report and I am heartened to hear the Government is committed to having this at the forefront during the European Presidency. Less progress has been made on the targets set in the fifth millennium development goals than in any other development issue. This must be grasped. As Deputy Mitchell said, there must be cross-party political support and political will. We must show ourselves to be leaders and it is not good enough that the target has been left behind. Women are dying everyday in less developed countries and something must be done. I welcome the report of the Minister of State. Deputies Mitchell and Maureen O'Sullivan and I will be keeping an eye on matters.

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