Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I echo the point about the need for a debate on the Government's cuts as soon as possible. I agree with the sentiments expressed by others on how much it must stick in the craw of ordinary folk who find themselves hard hit in recent times and who seem to be taking the pain while others who are more responsible for the problems we face appear to be getting off scott free. We all agree it was time for the public sector to play its part in a particular way and nobody quibbles with the essence of yesterday's decision by the Government. However I would like there to be a debate as soon as possible on our overseas aid budget. It is scandalous that €95 million is being slashed from the overseas aid budget. It is no argument to say we are still on target to meet 0.7% of our GDP by 2012. We are seeing a selfishness in times of hardship to match the waste we saw during times of plenty. The poorest of the poor, the most vulnerable people in the world, put some of our needs in the shade. How much better an expression of our national character it would be in this time of national crisis if we were to say we will not touch overseas aid by one iota. By all means we could examine how we spend some of it, for example the UNFPA getting €5 million is scandalous.