John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I welcome Senator Henry's motion that Seanad Éireann recognises the value of Ireland's aid to developing countries, monetary and otherwise, and calls on the Minister for Finance to maintain our commitment to it. I thank the Minister of State for enlightening the Seanad in many areas. It was a very worthwhile exercise.

The treatment of Third World and developing countries historically has proven that we must deal with them in an ethical and proper manner. The lessons of the last century and the problems associated with imperialism and adventurers doing business with the Third World lead me to ask the Minister of State to consider a legally binding code of ethics for business people doing business with the Third World. While we have no reason to suggest that any of them is doing business in an unethical manner, we could be a leading light in this regard for the rest of Europe and perhaps the rest of the developed world.

I was disappointed that Senator Ryan questioned our bona fides on development aid. Ireland's aid of 0.16% of a much lower GNP in 1991 reflects the 0.41% of a much higher GNP this year, and is heading in the right direction. I welcome the Minister of State's statement regarding emergency humanitarian aid, which means that money will be available for basic needs such as food, shelter and clean water and that we are keeping these needs to the forefront of our aid programme. It also means that, having reached a certain level, we can continue with self-help, health care and higher-order needs measures, which are also to the forefront of our development aid programme.

I thank the many NGOs and Irish missionaries who through the decades and centuries have been a beacon to the rest of the world. I welcome the Minister of State's clarification regarding where our aid is directed, which is very important because it should be sent to the relevant countries for basic necessities and development. It would be sad to think that it would be used for anything other than these.

The UN Cairo programme did not promote abortion as its recommendations were to be implemented by each country consistent with national laws, policies, religious and ethical values. I believe this will be continued under the EU directive on aid. I ask the Minister of State to reflect the views of the Irish people at every opportunity in this regard, whether in Europe or at the United Nations, and promote direct help. It should not be a programme that promotes abortion. In this regard, I support my colleague, Senator Lydon.