Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

The humanitarian organisation, GOAL, has expressed its concern with the ongoing situation whereby millions of euro of Irish taxpayers' money is going to the Government of Ethiopia. Ethiopian troops have forcibly displaced entire rural communities and villages and recently assassinated at least 150 civilians. Ethiopian troops are also involved in Somalia. Over recent months, GOAL volunteers and aid workers have witnessed a major increase in malnourished children attending the clinics, yet it is only in the past few weeks that the Government of Ethiopia has accepted that there is a famine and is looking for aid. This has taken place after the Ethiopian Government refused visas to aid workers to help these people.

Does the Irish Government believe the Ethiopian Government can be trusted to spend public money for the good of some of the world's most vulnerable people? I question the practice of funding Ethiopia bilaterally. I ask that the Minister clarify the position as a matter of urgency.