Ireland is proud of its role in the area of over seas development aid. That role is traditional and is embedded in our psyche. It started with our missionaries going out to the African countries, in particular, building up much needed infrastructure and educating those among whom they moved. The State has taken on that role admirably. This is not a political issue with a capital "P", but one that finds universal support. We may quibble and criticise the level of support and, in some instances, the manner in which it is allocated. However, the general principle that Ireland has a proud record in this area and that it should strive to maintain that record is accepted by all sides.