Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I am pleased Senator Hannigan raised the issue of the proposed cuts in the overseas aid budget. He is absolutely right to cite the observation of Mr. Hans Zomer of Dóchas that those who have not contributed to the financial crisis but are affected most severely by it are the very people whom Irish Aid is designed to reach. It is shameful that while 2% of our budget is allocated to Irish Aid, 5% of the proposed expenditure cuts apply to it. I call for a specific debate on this matter. Our treatment of the poorest in the world will reflect how we treat each other at home. That is the issue.

There has been much talk recently of announcements being made outside the Oireachtas. I am concerned to read the report in The Irish Times today of yesterday's proceedings in the Supreme Court wherein the State seems to be putting forward as its position that the human embryo does not enjoy any constitutional rights under the definition of "unborn". Is the State throwing the case and pre-empting the Supreme Court decision by making this dramatic announcement about what it believes the law should be, without any debate having taken place on the issue in the Oireachtas? It is very disturbing. The Attorney General seems to believe that the human embryo is property, the equivalent of a blood sample.