I support what Senator Minihan said in regard to our high growth rates and the substantial moneys available. The figures speak for themselves. By any yardstick, we have achieved impressive growth, not just in absolute terms, but also as a proportion of GNP. The internationally accepted approach is to express contributions to development assistance as a proportion of GNP. Official figures from the OECD show that for the period 1990-91 Ireland's aid programme stood at just 0.16% of GNP which placed us firmly in the relegation zone of the league table of OECD member states. We were 21st out of 22 countries. However, in line with the increases in funding I have outlined, we progressed to mid-table by 1996 at 0.30%. This year we expect to reach a figure of 0.41%. Although official figures on other countries' contributions will not be available for some time, estimates suggest that we are now ranked sixth among OECD member states and well above the EU average. This is a record of which Ireland can justifiably be proud, all the more so because it has been achieved against a background of stagnant or falling levels of aid in many other donor countries. I agree with those who have been critical of some of the major powers. Aid levels from a number of wealthy member states, including the USA, Canada and Finland, have fallen over the past decade. With a handful of others however, Ireland has made significant progress towards the UN target of 0.7% of GNP.