David Norris (Independent)

I commend my colleague, Senator Henry, for putting down this timely and valuable motion for debate. It is an issue which we have been discussing since I was first elected. This House pushed as hard as possible to ensure Ireland would reach the target of 0.7%, a target set 32 years ago in 1970. Even though we have done extraordinarily well in comparison to the other more niggardly countries of Europe, we have a long way to go and it is taking a pathetically long time to get there.