Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste. When he was marking the UN International Day of Peace last week, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, said, "Peace is needed today more than ever. War and conflict are unleashing devastation, poverty and hunger and are driving tens of millions of people from their homes. Climate chaos is all around". We know the SDGs are one of the best tools we have not only to address inequality, poverty and global poverty, but perhaps the most constructive tool we can wield in response to the scourge of war and climate change.

Agreed in 2015, the SDGs were an important part of rededicating the international community to address these challenges. We know that one of the best ways Ireland can contribute to meeting these objectives is, of course, through development aid contributions. When will we get to the point of reaching 0.7% of our gross national income, GNI, being allocated as official development aid, as we have committed to?

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