Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with my colleague, Senator Mary Ann O'Brien, on the need to debate the subject of Irish Aid and how we spend money in the developing world. We should not be debarred by political correctness from asking hard questions as posed by Senator O'Brien because we must ensure that the money we spend, which is not the Government's but the taxpayer's money, is put to genuine developmental purpose and that there will be a long-term economic spin-off to those in the Third World and the developing world. Yesterday, the British Minister in charge of international development made the same argument on behalf of the British taxpayer when he expressed concern about British taxes being expended across the globe. We need a debate in the House to ensure that the money being spent by the Irish Government and Irish taxpayers on Third World development is achieving long-term economic results.

The second point I wish to raise relates to policing. The more I hear of and from the Fianna Fáil Party on this matter the more I think back to the 1990s and the promises of zero tolerance. There was at that stage a deliberate and successful political campaign by Fianna Fáil to frighten the people of the island into believing we were on the verge of social breakdown and that the delivery of John O'Donoghue's policy of zero tolerance would solve every problem. Of course that did not happen. If people suggest we need more policing and more gardaí on the beat they must recognise that policing must be paid for. They must also say where the money is to come from and if they favour the presentation of a supplementary budget and additional taxation to pay for it. Alternatively, can we have a genuine and mature conversation about policing?

Last week, there was a Private Members' motion, but such motions, where the Opposition say "Yes" and the Government say "No" are purposeless and meaningless. I would have said the same when I was on the other side of the House. The amendment to the Order of Business today is meaningless as well. Perhaps, if Senator Darragh O'Brien was willing to withdraw his amendment and liaise with the Acting Leader, the Minister could come forward within the next week or two and there could be a mature debate in this House where we could discuss the matter in detail. The charade of Senators putting down a motion condemning Ministers which they know will be defeated is purposeless and pointless and it adds to the cynicism. I have seen this fail spectacularly on too many occasions.