Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

Maintaining our contribution as a proportion of GNP in these difficult times is a measure of the Government's clear commitment to increasing the aid programme and achieving the UN target of 0.7% on schedule. This commitment has been confirmed on many previous occasions and is part of the programme for Government. As the motion correctly implies, the value of Ireland's aid should not be viewed purely in monetary terms. It is not enough for us to point to the substantial increases in resources over a given period – we must also be sure our aid makes a real difference to the lives of those most in need, the poorest of the poor in developing countries.