John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I compliment Senator Henry and the Independent group on tabling this motion about which we cannot speak enough. It is an issue we must continuously highlight. Unlike the previous speaker, I do not want to play politics with this issue but there are a few points that should be addressed. In the recent Estimates, we sustained our aid budget, notwithstanding, the difficult budgetary circumstances this year. As a Government, we will continue to be one of the leading donors of aid in the world in relation to our GNP which now stands at 0.41%. It is expected that will be sustained in the year ahead.

It is no harm to salute the contribution we have made. Ireland is the sixth in the world as a donor ahead of countries such as France, Finland and Britain. Our current level, as well as our commitment, well exceeds the EU target of 0.33% of GNP for each member state's aid budget and agreed in Barcelona last March. Ireland's aid programme in the year ahead has been targeted at €373 million, a 10% increase on the out-turn for this year. We continue to show a significant increase in terms of where we were a few years ago.

In the context of the many calls on the public finances, we are giving priority to sustaining overseas aid. We must ensure the real and positive outcomes for the poor in the world, Africa in particular, are safeguarded in the budget. Our focus must be on the benefits for those we aim to help. Ultimately, this will be the measure of success in funding our aid programmes. As a member of the Progressive Democrats, I hope the Minister will bear with me as I salute my colleague, Deputy Liz O'Donnell, who contributed so much to this programme and fought so successfully to bring about in September 2000 the commitment to try to reach the target of 0.7% of GNP in overseas aid.

There has been unprecedented growth. Five years ago our contribution was €158 million. It is now €373 million. There has been a major expansion in the last two years, from 0.33% of GNP in 2001 to 0.41% in 2002. It is a bit rich for Senator Higgins to play on emotional issues like this and cross the political divide by trying to attack the Government when the record clearly shows that we are taking this issue seriously. As a nation, we should be proud of our record in this regard. To play politics with the misfortunes of people like these is irresponsible.

It is no harm at all to use opportunities like this to remind people of some basic facts, if for no other reason than to ensure we double our efforts to help the people concerned. There are 1.2 billion people living on less than $1 a day, 2.8 billion people living on less than $2 a day and 2.4 billion people who lack the basic sanitation facilities that we all enjoy. Some 11 million children under five die annually in developing countries, mostly from infectious diseases, while over 100 million – including 60% of girls – do not have basic primary school education. These are facilities we enjoy.