Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

The reality is that as a consequence of what the Government has done, programmes on HIV, famine relief, education and gender equality will be adversely affected.

I agree with Senator Daly that we should create good governance and put in place new practices where people can be empowered and learn, but monitoring programmes and empowerment education require financial resources. We heard reference today to the Famine. There is no comparison. Our people had access to education and we were empowered as a nation. If we have beliefs, these cuts will have an impact, as Senator Cummins rightly said, on irrigation projects, food prices and trade, about which Senator Daly spoke in his contribution. The prevention programmes for a multiplicity of diseases will also have an impact.

I would like to refer to the other part of the Government bicycle, the Green Party. At a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs when the Green Party was in opposition, Deputy Cuffe derided the cuts. What did the Green Party Members say today about the cuts in our overseas aid? What do they say about the U-turn and backtracking on the commitment given by the former Taoiseach and by the Green Party when it entered Government? We made a commitment to provide 0.7% of GNP to overseas aid and it looks like that figure will never be met, which is regrettable. As Senator Cummins said, it will have an impact on the aid agencies. People can legitimately argue that aid agencies have become dependent on Government money. That is a different argument and I accept that we need to have a debate on that. However, the overseas aid budget has been hit four times in four budgets. I met a missionary priest who was home on holidays and he made a very telling comment to me when he said this Government is hitting the vulnerable in Ireland, and the world through its cuts in overseas aid. I would like to hear the Minister's remarks on that.

We are in a time of economic recession and overall budgets must be examined. However, we made a commitment to the United Nations, which we will not fulfil. If one takes the amendment put down by Senators Mullen, Quinn, Norris and Bacik, we must refrain from further budgetary action that will undermine our commitment. If we do not, we are sending the wrong message and imposing cuts that, as Senator Cummins said, will impact on people's lives and the quality of their lives. All of us in this House are open to the developing world and want to produce results that will see Ireland's standing in the world enhanced by our support. This motion is timely regardless of the economic climate because we need a debate on how best we can support our aid programme and how best we can see Ireland and the people of the world benefiting from our financial contributions.

Does the Minister think the move to Limerick is beneficial? He will say it is from a political point of view because it is in his constituency.