The EU is engaged in dialogue with the US regarding its funding withdrawal earlier this year and the background to that decision, to which Senator Lydon referred. A consensus exists among EU member states, reaffirmed recently at Council level, regarding the importance of the role of UNFPA in reaching the millennium development goals in the areas of infant, child and maternal mortality and the EU's firm commitment to continue to support the fund. This fund has a critical role to play in support of the implementation of the key millennium goals through its programme and it should continue to be an important development partner for Ireland Aid.