Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo the comments of my colleague, Senator Colm Burke, a point raised also by Senator Quinn and others. It would reflect badly on us as a country, even in a time of crisis, if we were to forget our obligation to try to be a beacon in a world where there is much deprivation.

I think our commitment to foreign aid is one of the better things about Ireland and it must continue. It is disturbing that the topic recurs with such frequency. There is definitely an issue about how money is spent and we need to be eagle-eyed about it but we must maintain a full-hearted commitment to foreign aid.

It is entirely appropriate that we join in solidarity with the parents of the children who died in Connecticut. Let us not slip into a double think, however, that we forget a category of children in our own country. The Government has a very serious decision to make in the coming weeks and months on the abortion issue. It is troubling that having done so well in her role as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald appeared to show no concern for unborn children in her speech yesterday. A whole category of children are in danger of being excluded.