Rónán Mullen (Independent)

Tá droch-scéal agus dea-scéal ón Gaillaimh inniu dar ndóigh. Only yesterday we spoke about the good news about the decline in the number of road deaths and then overnight we received the sickening news of four young women on a road I know very well being struck down in the prime of their lives. At a time when they should be enjoying life and profiting from their studies, they are no more and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones this morning. We all need to refocus on the need to go easily and safely on the roads, particularly in the bad weather conditions we are experiencing at the moment and will have in coming months.

The happy news is Máire Geoghegan-Quinn's appointment. It is good to see bean mhaith, Gaelgóir, bean stuama appointed to the post of European Commissioner. I am not sure whether it does her any service for the Taoiseach to say that the gender balance requirement influenced the choice. I have significant concerns regarding those types of gender balance considerations. We should certainly encourage maximum participation by both genders in politics, but I wonder whether anybody's credibility is served where gender is a factor in his or her appointment. Ms Geoghegan-Quinn has talent aplenty to perform this role without reference to her gender.

I thank Senator Hannigan for raising the issue of overseas development aid. Last week the Taoiseach noted that Ireland has been commended by the United Nations on our commitment in this area. However, the reality is that our overseas development aid allocation as a percentage of GDP has been reduced through swingeing budget cuts. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Peter Power, deserves credit for bringing forward an interim commitment to achieve a target of 0.51% by 2010, which will require an increase in our current percentage contribution. Not only should there be no further reductions in our overseas aid commitment but our allocation should be ramped up. Notwithstanding our domestic troubles, we must not forget the truly parlous circumstances in which many people throughout the world are living.