Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We should use our Presidency of the Council of the EU and the Taoiseach's role at the G8 summit to raise these issues. The Seanad should also debate the serious issue of poverty. It is not just found in developing countries but also at home, where 22% of children cannot concentrate in school because they are hungry. A report has shown that a growing number of primary school pupils go to school tired and hungry. Poverty is an important issue. We have debated it but we should keep it on the agenda, particularly as it relates to the developing world.