Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I wish to share my time with Senator Mansergh. Before I came to the House this evening I did not do much thinking on whether we have lived up to our ODA commitment. However, I am delighted to see the figure of €1.8 billion projected over the next three years and that the commitment will be made to reach the United Nations target. That is where we are coming from in this debate.

I listened to what everyone said here tonight about the amount promised this year and so much promised last year. The tsunami disaster occurred just after Christmas and everybody went to help as best they could in terms of reaching out to those in need. I was amazed. I went to Rathfarnham shopping centre two days after St. Stephen's Day and there was a queue a mile long to contribute. Ireland is a model country. We rise to the occasion whenever we must.

Since the tsunami disaster, I spoke with many of my friends and asked them if they knew about overseas development aid. How many people out there know what we are talking about now?