Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

Like Senator Norris, I was delighted to see the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, unveil the conflict resolution unit whose first mission will be in Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste is one of our Irish Aid programme countries, which means it is one of the nine or so countries which receives special assistance. At present Irish aid represents 0.53% of GNP, and the Government has made a commitment to increase this to 0.7% of GNP within four years. That further increase gives us more possibilities. It allows us to not only increase the amount of aid to our programme countries but also to increase the number of programme countries. I ask the Leader to speak to the Minister about this.

I believe east Africa is well covered under the aid programme, as there are programme countries all down the east African coast. I would like us to increase the number of programme countries on the west coast of Africa to include countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia and perhaps Niger. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister to consider putting those countries on our programme list as the amount of aid increases.