Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join in the words of thanks and congratulations for Senator McAleese. We can say with certainty that he has done the State some service. This afternoon a significant report which uncovered our murky past will be unveiled. It is incumbent on us, as Oireachtas Members, to ensure that its recommendations are implemented in full and that the people who were treated badly through the decades receive the recognition and recompense that they deserve.

I call on the Leader to organise a debate on Irish Aid in the near future. I do so against the backdrop of a report that Ireland is considering the resumption of aid to Uganda. We will all be aware of the recent controversy where ¤4 million of Irish money was misappropriated but thankfully it has been returned. There was a second incident where ¤110,000 was misappropriated by the Uganda AIDS Commission or there were anomalies with it. I do not advocate depriving the most marginalised people in the world of assistance but we need total openness and transparency when it comes to aid. Irish people want to be sure that the moneys expended on their behalf are properly accounted for. Therefore, the Seanad must debate the issue and ensure that there is no repeat of the recent Uganda debacle and that we have total confidence that our money is being spent wisely.