Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply and the positive news that Dóchas is to drive the action plan for the year. I again reiterate how important it is that we achieve ambitious post-millennium goals. I know that our ambassador is playing a key role in this regard in terms of driving this deal forward and getting buy-in for it from world leaders. I know also that the Minister will use his powers of persuasion at the European Council to ensure a strong and ambitious European input in this regard.

The Minister will be aware that Brian Hayes, MEP, who is a member of the development committee in Europe, has suggested that now is the time to set a timeframe for achieving the 0.7% aid target. I realise that our aspirations have to be set in context and that perhaps this is not the context for that particular figure. However, perhaps we could use this year to discuss a timeframe for achieving it in the coming years.

Important as money is - and it is important - development co-operation is about more than money. It is about trade, what we buy and sell, investment, tax policies and, as mentioned by the Minister, climate change, some of which issues may be outside the direct remit of the Minister but fall within the remit of other Ministers. I ask the Minister to use his persuasive powers at the Cabinet table to ensure that other Ministers buy into this year and use their voices at the European Council to ensure a strong European input across all the areas through which we interact with the developing world.

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