David Norris (Independent)

I support the calls for a debate on overseas development aid. Senator Ryan was right to draw the attention of the House to this matter. However, his description of the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, as a boy was not a great contribution, although the Minister is somewhat younger in years than Senator Ryan or myself.

Members of all parties at the committee on foreign affairs unanimously passed a motion, in the names of Deputy Michael D. Higgins and myself, asking for the commitment to be lived up to. The matter should be approached in this constructive manner. The Minister of State spoke of having to be realistic about the issue which sounded warning bells and he did not give an absolute commitment. I wonder if it was done, like in the sophisticated manner of his father, as an attempt to get the strong backing of the foreign affairs committee, which he did get, that we must live up to the clear commitments given by the Taoiseach to the UN. There is no getting out of it. Senator Ross and I have just tabled a motion with which all Members can agree, asking the Government to live up to this commitment. There is no great difficulty in this and it will help the young Minister of State who I wish well in his task.

With regard to the North of Ireland, I find myself in the uncomfortable position of agreeing with Senator Mansergh. When the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, said that coalition with Sinn Féin would be possible if they gave up their arms, I asked myself what is wrong with that.