Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I am glad the Leader has found time to talk about our overseas development aid programme. We need to have a discussion on this. The most recent budget cut a further €100 million off the aid programme. This was in addition to cuts made in the previous ten months. In that time, we cut the aid budget by €255 million. Despite Government promises on the international stage, we will not reach our targets unless the situation changes.

I have been contacted by representatives of organisations throughout the country, who are very worried about the impact of these cuts, not merely on staff numbers but on programmes. Last week, Concern said these cuts will lead to the cutting of 500 jobs. The impact of this will be felt worldwide. In Angola, for example, 20,000 homes will not receive training in food production. In Haiti, 6,000 children will not receive education on hygiene issues. The list goes on. Throughout the world, people will be affected because of cuts in our aid programme.

The programme for Government will be reviewed shortly. I ask the Leader to impress upon the Minister and his Green Party colleagues the importance of looking again at our aid programme and trying to meet the commitments we made not too long ago.

I agree with Senator O'Toole that we can learn lessons from this morning's resignation of the Speaker of the House of Commons. The Speaker clearly lost the confidence of the people because of the expenses issue. This House is also in danger of losing the confidence, not merely of the people but also of politicians. Last week, we had a debate on the adjournment of the House to facilitate a golf match. This week, a Member of the House said on the radio that votes in the House were a waste of time and a joke, and a Dáil candidate said his party colleagues should consider shutting down the Seanad. Although some criticisms of the Seanad are valid, some clearly are not. Nevertheless, confidence in the House is suffering and needs to be addressed.

One person in this House can introduce legislation to reform the House, namely the Leader. Until he introduces a programme of reform I suggest that he, like the Speaker of the House of Commons, should consider his position.