Jim Higgins (Fine Gael)

Recently, RTÉ did an excellent series for its news programmes on the ravages of famine in Somalia. The chief reporter, Charlie Bird, went right to the heartland of the areas affected and the prognosis is that things will get worse. I would like a debate on our overseas development aid, particularly in the context of the fact that the Taoiseach has been going to international conferences and indicating that Ireland is ahead of the world in meeting United Nations targets when, in reality, in the spate of current cutbacks we have substantially reduced that aid. The consequences are quite obvious, which is why I call for a very comprehensive debate on what is a matter of life and death.