Mary Henry (Independent)

I thank Senator O'Toole for being so generous in sharing time. I wish to address the issue of overseas aid. As Deputy O'Donnell so eloquently put it in today's newspapers, our commitment to providing such aid is how we are known abroad. This issue is extremely important for the countries to which we have been providing assistance. I refer, in particular, to the priority countries in Africa, three of which, Ethiopia, Uganda and Zambia, I have visited on several occasions. I am aware of the high regard in which people in these states hold Ireland. Not only does Ireland give generously in terms of providing aid but that aid is not tied. That latter point is important because some countries provide aid but this is tied to the purchase of food and services from such countries which is then given to recipient countries. Ireland buys food and services on the spot, which is extraordinarily important.

I hope we have enough money to continue to provide bilateral aid. I am disappointed that we will not be in a position to meet our target of 0.7% of GDP for overseas development aid by 2007. The Taoiseach promised the United Nations that we would meet this target by that date. Developing countries took it as a promise which was sincerely made and which would be kept. Everyone thought it would be kept. It will not be kept because we have discovered that we are so rich and that, as a result, the amount involved will be much higher than originally envisaged.

I ask that the Minister give particular consideration to the area of multi-lateral aid. When it comes to how they intend to spend their budgets, governments are frequently much more influenced by multinational organisations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, etc., than they are by small countries such as Ireland. I implore the Minister to ensure that the level of money given to UNFPA will not only be maintained but that it will be increased. As he will be aware, the United States has withdrawn funding to that organisation. Our increase last year was extremely important. I applaud the former Ministers of State with responsibility in this area, Deputies Tom Kitt, O'Donnell and Burton, for what they tried to do. Their actions made a difference to the countries to which I refer.

Unfortunately, the maternal mortality figures for sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, and the remainder of the continent in general are not improving much. The UNFPA's report for last year shows that the improvement was marginal in most African countries. The position in respect of HIV-AIDS is getting progressively worse, despite the enormous amount of money that is being spent. I include here the well-spent money from the global fund, to which Ireland contributes.

Irish people have a great respect for mothers. We were always very proud of our obstetrical and gynaecological care. I would like to see Ireland helping to reinforce this care in other countries, particularly in those developing countries which are recipients of Irish aid. I hope there will be no question of any cutbacks.

I warmly welcome the wise words of Senator Maurice Hayes. I chaired the association and trust in Trinity College which is one of the fund-raising organisations for the college. I seemed to spend more time imploring and beseeching people to give money to the university than doing anything to encourage academic research or teaching, which is not as it should be.