Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for their contributions. We have already addressed many of the issues raised by Senator Mansergh and it is a pity we do not have time to discuss them further. Ireland has a good reputation in development co-operation and we have acted to the best of our ability during our Presidency.

The debate has covered many subjects. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I find I must defend two positions raised by Senator Mooney and will, therefore, have little time to address the large number of other general issues Senators raised. The issue of Uganda was raised, about which we could have long debates. I have addressed this matter on a number of occasions and will discuss it again in a forthcoming committee hearing.

I ask that those who question our policy on Uganda closely examine the matter. There is no question that taxpayers' money provided by the Government is going astray. The notion that the Government hands cheques to Ugandan Ministers is simplistic and dangerous. As a result of the dissemination of that message, my Department has received telephone calls, albeit a small number, from people arguing that Africa is a waste of time. Some of those who contacted the Department also called for Africans in this country to be sent back. The people who support the line that we should withdraw aid from Uganda are mainly those who believe there is no point in giving money to Africa and that the continent is a lost cause. Debate is healthy but those engaging in it should check all the facts on both sides of the argument before raising such a complex matter in a simplistic fashion.

I have observed the work the Government does in Uganda at first hand. Having seen the faces of young children in villages where water supplies have been turned on and met teachers who were trained using Irish taxpayer's money, I can state categorically that the money we provide is spent soundly on the poorest people and not corruptly.

We exert our influence by our presence. Many other European Union countries, including Britain and the Netherlands, are also involved in Uganda and trying to exert influence. Senators properly raised the fact that Rwanda, like Uganda, is involved in the Congo. The Ugandans have withdrawn from the Congo as a result of the influence we brought to bear on them. I redirected my Department's government to government moneys towards a more sectoral approach because I believed we should exert political influence as regards the country's presence in the Congo. We provide support for areas at district level. I am satisfied having visited programmes that the moneys are being well spent.

I stand over our development programme in Uganda. Those who suggest we should withdraw it should realise that this would lead to loss of life among ordinary people and those who argue that we should give the money to non-governmental organisations should be aware that NGOs do not have the capacity to train teachers, develop school curricula, provide major water facilities or build roads that extend for 50 kilometres. This is a complex issue which I am willing to debate but people should examine both sides of the argument. It is a pity that the agenda of the House precludes us from debating the issue further.

Senator Mooney also raised the issue of Sudan. I was involved in ongoing talks in Nairobi on the conflict in Sudan as part of a European Union troika. We are deeply involved in the matter in Darfour and are liaising with both sides to try to arrange a ceasefire. Unfortunately, Sudan was also on the agenda during my previous period in office as a Minister of State and I visited the country at the time. I am willing to visit the area again if necessary and we are working heavily behind the scenes.

Unfortunately, I do not have sufficient time to address the many other important issues raised by Senators, including trade and development, but I thank them. I agree that we must work hard to give countries the capacity to trade out of poverty. Aid, while extremely important, is not the only factor. Senators correctly argued that we should move towards spending 0.7% of GDP on aid and their support to that end is appreciated.