Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I note that a number of other countries, including France and the UK, are looking at timeframes of somewhere around 2012 and 2013 for reaching the target of 0.7% of GNP. I have already stated publicly that a timeframe along these general lines seems reasonable and sensible for Ireland.

Events in south-east Asia since St. Stephen's Day have both shocked and galvanised the world. Public interest in development aid, and the response of wealthy countries to emergencies such as the tsunami, have never been greater. During the next few months we will engage in a broad consultative process around the country regarding the future direction of the Government's official development programme with the aim of drawing up a White Paper on development policy in 2006. The extraordinary response of the Irish public to the recent tsunami is clear evidence that the people do care about those who are less well-off than themselves. I am very much looking forward to listening to their views on the matter.

The White Paper is not about undoing or rewriting what was achieved in the Ireland Aid review in 2000; it is about improving and enhancing both the principles that underpin our programme but also enhancing the quality of the programme we deliver for developing countries. If we do not do that and oversee and plan carefully the expansion of the programme, we would do a disservice to taxpayers but more critically to the people to whom we give this aid.

It is important to remember the sheer, stark figures required for the achievement of the 0.7% in ODA. We are talking about moving from a contribution of €545 million to in excess of €1.3 billion. The sum of €1.3 billion is not small, it is a significant sum. I noted with interest the suggestion that there is no capacity constraint. It goes without saying that if one moves to a position of doubling one's budget that capacity, resource and other issues regarding the achievement of value for money and the efficacy of what is spent will obviously arise. It is not rocket science. People who state that it is possible to move from a position of spending €545 million to spending €1.3 billion in one fell swoop are talking utter nonsense. We must plan carefully for what we spend and have a stepped approach.

I am aware of the Development Co-operation Ireland staffing and resources issue. Senator McDowell made a fair point but the figures he quoted are in respect of the achievement of the 0.7% goal. The embargo on Civil Service recruitment will expire at the end of the year. I accept there are staff and resource restraints at present in the Department and look forward to the end of the year when these issues can be resolved through further recruitment of staff.

I have probably exhausted the Acting Chairman's patience. The commitment to 0.7% in ODA was made in 2000 at a time and place when economic optimism here was unbridled. It was made as a moral commitment and remains a moral commitment which we will redeem and achieve. We would do no service to anybody by achieving it in an unplanned fashion. In fairness to the Taoiseach, it was a moral commitment which he made from a wellspring of idealism——