Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I call for a debate on overseas development aid, as I fear the targets we set may be lost as we begin to become selfish about ourselves. In 2005, 15 European nations set a target for overseas development assistance of reaching a figure of 0.51% of GDP by 2010. At 0.52%, Ireland has surpassed that figure which a number of other countries have also reached. Among the countries which have not reached it are France and Germany, two countries in which, as Senator O'Toole said, there have been long strikes in recent times. Our ability to meet targets set in the future will depend on how we run the country and achieve what we set out to do. The Famine took place 160 years ago but it continues to occupy a place in our memories. Every night 1 billion children go to bed hungry. The Famine was very bad but what is happening now in the rest of the world requires that we maintain our aid levels. We must avoid the danger that we will tear ourselves apart, which is why I worry when I hear about the many clashes and people ask why the Government does not do something to solve this or that problem. We ourselves can handle a large number of the challenges we face. Let us not ask for someone else to solve those problems. Let us ensure we do it ourselves.

Another statistic I noted yesterday was that every minute a woman somewhere in the world dies giving birth. Problems such as 1 billion people going to bed hungry every night are solvable. We have the talent, ability and skills to do that. Let us not tear ourselves apart and damage the economy by infighting. Let us ensure we put that high on our agenda.