Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join with the Cathaoirleach and Members of the House in expressing our sincere sympathy to all the families of the young children who were massacred in Connecticut. It was a dreadful thing to happen.

I also extend sincere sympathy to the family of the late Páidí Ó Sé, who has been a larger than life figure in the GAA over many a year.
Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the question of whether the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government consulted the county and city managers of local authorities. My information is that it did but the Senator will be able to elicit the information he requires when we debate the property tax later in the week. I am sure the Senator will get the answers to all the questions he posed this afternoon.
Senator Susan O'Keeffe welcomed the statement of the IMF. I am sure we welcome the statement on growth. Senator Mary Ann O'Brien among other Members spoke on foreign aid. Her contribution differed from that of almost all of her colleagues as she suggested we should cut our contribution. I read a newspaper report that another Member was supposed to raise a proposal that we would cut our aid by 75%. I think the suggested a 75% cut is absolutely ludicrous. Our NGOs do tremendous work with foreign aid. I agree that we should have a debate on foreign aid.

I will arrange a debate early in the new year - probably in early February - with the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, on that matter. Senator Norris also raised the issue of foreign aid. He has fought for increases to overseas aid, as well as having more transparency. I also note his comments on the violence inherent in video games. It is certainly a problem not just in America but across the world. It is a matter we should look at in this House.