Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I dtosach, cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach chun an ábhar an-thabhtach seo a phlé inniú. I have listened to the speakers on this topic and it is striking that, given our current economic difficulties, the opinion is that this issue should supersede the financial difficulties being encountered. The Minister of State said that we live in a world of plenty. While there might be less when the current turmoil is over, the world will still comparatively be a world of plenty. Perhaps there will be a refocus on where our priorities should lie socially and politically as a consequence of the upheavals in the market place at present. A new and more caring order might emerge from what will be a chastening experience for everybody.

It is appropriate that Ireland take note of the hunger that afflicts the 862 million people the Minister of State mentioned. That is an astounding figure; it is one in seven or one in eight of the world's population. It is an extraordinary proportion, particularly when one considers the affluence of the western world. Senator Ó Murchú referred to the amount of food that is wasted. Go to a restaurant and look at the prices being paid and the amount of food left on plates at the end of an expensive meal. In many ways it must challenge us to consider redistribution. Many people speak about redistribution of wealth but redistribution of food must surely rank as a priority.

The Famine in this country was not due to a shortage of food but to the fact that the staple diet of the people failed and they did not have the resources to source alternative food. As a consequence, 1 million people died, approximately 2 million emigrated and our population was almost halved over that period. That has made us acutely aware of what an affliction famine and hunger are for a nation and society. An interesting story is told — I am sure there is an element of truth in it, as there is with many stories in these Houses — that when the statue of Queen Victoria was being removed from the grounds to be put in a breaker's yard before eventually being sent to Australia, the late former Deputy Ber Cowen, waved £5 at the statue, saying: "Take this. You gave it to us at the time of the Famine." That was a clear indication of how paltry was the response of people with resources and power to that challenge.

That is reflected again today in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa and Asia, as is clear from this report. There are many alarming statistics in the report. I join my colleagues in complimenting the initiative in the White Paper to establish a hunger task force to focus on how best to tackle the issue. The report states that in 2005, 32% of children under five years of age were stunted, with particularly high rates in eastern Africa of up to 50% and in central Africa of up to 42%. However, India has the highest number of stunted children, at 61 million. A total of 10% of children globally, 55 million, are wasted. That is an enormous proportion of the young population. The highest rate is in central Asia, with 29 million. Of these, 19 million children are severely wasted. They often require emergency interventions, including therapeutic feeding.

Those statistics, when one considers the western world and the comforts of its people, constitute an appalling reflection on policies over a long period of time and demonstrates the need to change them. The Minister of State has been to China. One of the great success stories of China is the fact it was able to feed up to 1.3 billion people spread across a large country where there is a great degree of poverty, particularly during the communist era. It was a real achievement that it did not have a very severe famine. Perhaps there are lessons to be learned from the Chinese initiative of targeting the smallholder with a view to increasing agricultural productivity. This is underpinned in the report and constitutes a key component thereof.

I noted with interest Senator Butler's statement, which is quite true, that if one gives a man a fish, one feeds him for a day, but if one teaches him to fish, he will be fed for life. Sustainability is a factor but, as other Senators stated, there are immediate issues to be addressed in addition to more medium-term and long-term issues.

It is only right that Ireland be in the vanguard of those countries that are placing tremendous priority on the issue of hunger. This is because of our history and because many good agencies and NGOs have been established in Ireland whose raison d'être is to prioritise the fight against hunger. I refer to Trócaire, Bóthar, Gorta, Concern, GOAL and many others.

Senator Butler rightly identified and applauded the efforts of our missionaries over many decades. His experience is replicated throughout the country. Very elderly priests who are working in Kenya and other countries but who are natives of Wexford come home to the county in the summer. They have devoted their lives to giving selfless service to those in need. They should be an example to all of us and should demonstrate how we can make a contribution, even though we would not be taxed in the same way and although we would not in any way be making the same effort.

John F. Kennedy once said one man can make a difference and that every man should try. Two of our musicians, Bono and Bob Geldof, have been very much to the fore in recent decades in this regard and have made a very significant contribution, not only through their own initiatives but also in awakening the consciousness of Western Governments and influencing policies to try to ensure a coherent approach to tackling hunger.

The second priority, which is clearly identified in the report, is to promote effective action to counter maternal and infant undernutrition. This must be tackled because if the mother suffers from malnutrition, her children will be seriously stunted as a consequence.

The report makes reference to changes in governance and leadership priorities. This identifies the need to build real political commitment to reducing hunger. Europe, in many ways, may have greater social awareness than some of the other large economic blocs. This is not to say there is not an element of social awareness in those blocs — there obviously is — but that Europe has a tradition in this regard. Ireland, using its influence in the European Union, should lead the way. It would be pushing an open door to some extent. In going this route, there is an element of self-interest because, if we can get the African and Asian economies to run properly, it would be good for the global economy. This process is separate from our prioritising the task of assisting those who are disadvantaged and poor and who do not even have the resources to feed themselves. The latter problem comprises one of the main human rightsareas.

The Minister of State, Deputy Peter Power, has responsibility in this area and is interested in it. He will note that other bodies, such as local authorities, can have a role. A Fianna Fáil councillor in Louth, Peter Savage, drew my attention to an initiative of Louth County Council with regard to Malawi. It has been in operation for some years and the council has made a financial commitment to the project. I discovered Wexford County Council was engaged in such a project, possibly in Ghana. Only last year, it was extended to Pakistan because a missionary who came home drew attention to educational issues in that country. The local authority is giving some support. Using the local government system is useful because it creates awareness. Staff in Wexford County Council make a voluntary contribution in this regard.

In many ways, the report under discussion can be a very influential catalyst in accelerating efforts already being made. I hope a chord will be struck with the international community. While the resources are in place, it is only through concerted effort that we can hope to make progress on this issue.