David Norris (Independent)

Yes, I have and will move on to that very quickly. I hope the Leader will raise these concerns with the Minister. Will she give some indication when No. 19, motion 6 on the Order Paper in the names of Senators Norris, Ross and Henry will be raised? It is about overseas development aid. The Leader and I were at a very interesting meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. Once again, and perhaps the Cathaoirleach's good office could be used in this matter, it clashed with the Order of Business in the Seanad.

The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Conor Lenihan, was giving a report to the meeting on overseas development aid. Both the Leader and I had to leave. We could only listen to part of the Minister of State's speech. He raised the question of the 0.7% of GNP target, but did not give a commitment in terms of a year. The Government had given a clear commitment as regards 2007. Now it wants to move the target to 2012. I am informed, however, that the mathematics indicate clearly that unless something radical is done it will be 2028 by the time this target is reached. It is important to have a debate in this House, so we may tease the matter out and get clear facts from the Minister of State.