Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join the calls for a debate on Irish Aid in the new year. There is a need for balance in respect of this matter. I was particularly concerned to read at the weekend that a Member of this House called for 75% cut in Irish overseas aid. We are concerned here with the world's poorest people. I refer to those who live in refugee camps, whose lives have been ravaged by war and conflict, who have been affected by natural disasters and who, in many cases, live under very corrupt regimes. These individuals lack the very basic necessities of life such as food, clean water, housing, medical supplies and access to any form of health services. I accept that there have been scandals and the fraud which occurred in Uganda represents a case in point. However, that matter has been put to rights and the money involved will be refunded to Ireland.

There must be transparency and we must ensure that Irish Aid funding does not end up in the hands of corrupt regimes. Irish missionaries and those who work for Irish NGOs are placing their lives at risk on a daily basis for the poorest people of the world. Irish people have always shown their concern for the poor - probably as a result of what happened in our country in the 1840s - and they give very generously to many organisations which work in the Third World. While I wish to ensure that our money is properly spent and that there is full accountability in respect of it, we must also ensure that we do not by our actions deprive the very poorest of the world of the very basic necessities of life.