Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a major challenge in terms of financial resources to get to the 0.7% target. Moreover, as GDP widens, that percentage also narrows and consequently there are challenges in this regard. In this new era of new politics and new co-operation, I am open to working with Members to try to work out a way of moving towards this benchmark because it is an area of such great importance. Even during the period since 2011, some €3.8 billion has been spent in overseas aid on important work at both humanitarian and development levels. At what is a very early stage in this job, I have found that new methods of best practice are being introduced to try to draw a more effective linkage between humanitarian and development aid. Moreover, Ireland is perceived to be a world leader in this regard. At the humanitarian summit in Istanbul in recent days, it was obvious that the world is looking to Ireland for ways to try to make progress in this regard. I am open to ideas and to working with the Deputy on a more coherent roadmap to achieve the target.

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