Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the update. There is a view that we should just give the money but ensure it is spent on internal economic projects that will lift people out of relative poverty. However, other countries that provide overseas development aid linked it to trade, a matter on which a great deal of discussion took place. Is that the current policy of governments? Do they now link trade to overseas development aid? I am not sure whether the Minister of State will have time to return to the issue of integrating trade and inclusive economic growth with overseas development aid. I ask him to reassure the House that he is satisfied that the money that goes to target countries is spent wisely. There was a great deal of controversy about Uganda some years ago that created enormous problems for everybody but the Government concerned came out of that rather well. Are modalities in place to ensure that nothing of that nature can recur and that the money is spent wisely?

This debate has afforded us an opportunity to applaud the Government on its continuing policy for overseas development aid. We have also had an opportunity to encourage it, even in the economic circumstances that prevail, to increase the amount and, hopefully, reach 0.7% of GDP. I ask the Minister of State to provide the current figures. Despite the fact that we have not reached 0.7% of GDP, Ireland is still among one of the highest contributors in Europe, as far as I am aware. Perhaps our rank has changed somewhat over the past couple of years. Some years ago we were one of the highest contributors among so-called more affluent countries than Ireland. In that regard, I welcome the opportunity to have this debate and wish the Minister of State well.