Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

I thank all parties in the House for the debate on the Bill and their support for the IDA. By supporting this Bill, we address hardships faced by the poorest and most vulnerable in IDA countries. I was in Maputo recently and saw the work being done in one of the poorest countries in the world. It is important that we contribute our share and more to help people in those ravaged countries and that issues such as HIV-AIDS, post-conflict crisis, health and social services and human development are addressed. I welcome this Bill because it is important for us to continue to support these worthwhile initiatives. I thank the officials for their work in this area.