Seanad debates
Tuesday, 4 November 2003
Humanitarian Issues in Post-War Iraq: Statements.
The Minister of State mentioned the Madrid Summit. I welcome the €3 million committed by the Government and the previous €5 million mentioned by the Minister. I ask the Minister to state whether we have increased our overall international aid this year. While he was at pains to stress he was not taking from elsewhere and the importance of maintaining our assistance to African countries, with which I completely agree, my reading of what he said is that the overall funding is still the same. This is not acceptable. We must recognise that the war happened and Ireland must accept part of the international culpability. We must also take responsibility for addressing some of the problems that have arisen as a result.
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