Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I compliment the Independent Senators on putting down this motion. Senators Minihan and Feeney commented on Senator Higgins's contribution. He is not here to defend himself but the charge was that he tried to politicise the issue. Of course, everything we do in the Oireachtas is political to some degree but Senator Higgins simply presented the financial situation being faced by Ireland Aid. He pointed out that the modest increase announced in the Estimates last week was simply making up the €30 million cut made a few months ago – literally within a few weeks of the Government being formed. Senator Minihan's analysis of the current situation was far too comfortable.