Jim Higgins (Fine Gael)

I commend the Independent Senators on bringing this worthy and timely motion before the House. I disagree, however, with my good friend and colleague, Senator Henry, in relation to our performance as a nation, that is, at Government level. I fully agree with her on the performance of Ireland Aid in relation to the non-governmental organisations but from the point of view of our performance as a nation in terms of monetary input, unfortunately, it leaves a lot to be desired.

As we speak, 38 million people are starving in sub-Saharan Africa and many millions will die because western Governments have turned a blind eye to the appalling situation and have constantly reneged on their promises, collective responsibility and moral obligation to keep fellow human beings alive.

From time to time there is a high profile focus on the plight of the starving in Third World countries. I commend, in particular, RTÉ on sending its cameras and reporters to bring home graphically the gruesome realities of the conditions in these famine stricken countries. The problem is that such news flashes are temporary and intermittent. The reality is that they happen mainly in summer time when there is a news drought. They flash on people's consciousness but, unfortunately, they are forgotten again. For the victims, however, it goes on every day, week, month and year.

In the six countries of southern Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique, almost 15 million people are threatened with starvation. In Ethiopia and Eritrea, an additional 11 to 15 million people are at risk as we speak. Who will ever forget Ethiopia in 1984? Trocaire is predicting that the current famine in Ethiopia will affect more people than it did in 1984. That speaks for itself. The rains have failed once again. The land is owned by the government which inhibits farmer investment. Farmers are taxed immediately after the harvest when market prices are at their lowest. Up to now people could prop up and supplement their incomes with the sale of coffee but coffee prices are at a 30 year all time low and another human catastrophe is about to unfold. Where does that leave Ireland in terms of its moral responsibility and performance?