Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Treacy, congratulate him on his new office and wish him well in his task. I have known him for a long time and am aware of his commitment, expertise and political skills, all of which I am sure he will bring to bear in dealing with the various issues that affect his current areas of responsibility.

Opposition Members have been vocal on the issue of overseas development aid in recent days in the context of the publication of the Book of Estimates. However, it is disappointing that when a modest measure dealing with a minimal contribution towards such aid is presented, Fine Gael Party members in particular are in sparse attendance and have given the proposal very little attention.