Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

The Minister for Finance is putting the final touches to the budget. One area in which we should stand firm is overseas aid. In the past year there has been a disproportionate cut of 22% in the overseas aid budget, which is having a real impact on people's lives. One thing of which we can be extremely proud is the amount of good work we do overseas in saving people's lives. The proposed cuts will have a real impact. Some of the Irish NGOs are pulling out of countries such as Angola as a result of the reductions that have been made. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Peter Power, and I attended a presentation made by scout groups from east Meath and it is clear from what was said that there is a good deal of support for the concept that further cuts to the aid budget should not be made. I know many Fianna Fáil Senators share my views on this matter and, in the days before the Minister for Finance finalises the budget, I ask them to impress upon him the need to ensure no such cuts are made.