Larry Butler (Fianna Fail)

I wish to share time with Senator Rónán Mullen.

Ireland has a proud record in terms of its overseas development aid. I am also proud of our fine record when it comes to our missionaries, religious orders, nuns and those who have served this country well to deliver services to those less fortunate than ourselves. That must be established here this evening and the message should go out loud and clear.

We are in very difficult times and we are borrowing €20 billion to keep our finances afloat. A percentage of that sum is going overseas, of which I am proud. It is important that we continue to provide aid because the people overseas who depend on our aid deserve our support. It is important that we continue a fair trade situation and Europe could play a greater role in this regard. Our work in the area of fair trade in coffee is an example of how we could make those people more independent. Our approach to farming in the Third World has not been strong enough. We require many more people to go there and show the people living there how to farm effectively and ensure crops grow which are suitable for the environment. This could be easily achieved given the available technology.

We will do our best to achieve the figure of 0.7% of GDP by 2012 and the approach is realistic. As the world economy and our situation improves it will be important to ensure the target is achieved. In the meantime there are certain actions we can take. We must appeal to the professional people in the country who are unemployed at present and who could make a very significant contribution abroad. We must encourage and, if necessary, assist them in whatever way we can whether through voluntary organisations or other means. New thinking is required. If there is a shortfall at one end, the slack should be taken up at the other end. Manpower and woman power is probably a more important contribution than sending money abroad.

The water development schemes and programmes already in place must continue because water is life. If people do not have clean water and a proper infrastructure for the basic necessities, it is impossible for life to continue, as we are all aware.