Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Everyone recognises that Covid-19 is an appalling tragedy for many countries, particularly the least developed ones, but it also offers an opportunity to embed real structural change as we move forward and try to resolve it. There is a risk that low oil prices and the urgency of immediate priorities might result in the wrong decisions being taken. It would be worthwhile for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to work with colleagues in Europe to flag that moneys will be made available for structural shifts to embed long-term and low-carbon solutions in countries which we seek to aid. This is a very good opportunity to set out that stall now and I encourage the Minister of State to get his officials to take such an approach.

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