Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Just this morning the Government launched the new policy on overseas development aid, which is a major policy entitled A Better World. I commend that policy and, in particular, commend the emphasis within it on a number of issues that are of real importance. The Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence, of which I am a member, has been working on these issues and I am very glad to see them highlighted, namely, climate justice, gender equality, women's rights and women's empowerment. That is really positive to see. Looking at the language used in the A Better World document, I commend those involved in its drafting because there is a strong emphasis on sexual and reproductive health and rights, and some inspiring language. It is particularly notable as, this year, we mark 25 years since the international conference on population and development, the ICPD. I know the Deputy Leader is interested in this issue at international level, as am I, and we will be seeing quite a number of events at UN level to mark that 25th anniversary. It is inspiring to see Ireland taking a leadership role on this in our overseas development aid policy and also good to see us moving so firmly towards our 0.7% commitment on overseas development aid. I commend those involved. I look forward to scrutinising the report further at the foreign affairs committee. I ask that we might have a debate on this in due course in the House, now the document has been published, as I believe it would be worthwhile. Again, it is great to see the policy so strongly highlighting women's empowerment and gender equality.

On a less positive note, I express my strong concern, which I am sure others will share, on the issues highlighted in respect of Scouting Ireland and the letter Tusla sent to Scouting Ireland. The Minister, Deputy Zappone, raised concerns in the Dáil yesterday. This leaves parents in particular in a very difficult position because, essentially, what the Minister appears to be saying is that parents send children on scouting trips almost at their own risk, which is a very worrying development for parents, all those involved in Scouting Ireland and, indeed, for children. I hope we can have a debate in the House, when things become a little clearer, on child protection and the important issues this raises.

I welcome the decision yesterday in the Supreme Court on the powers of the Committee of Public Accounts. I think many of us had felt concern about some of the lines of questioning adopted by the Committee of Public Accounts in recent years and it is positive to see the Supreme Court has said the Committee of Public Accounts acted significantly outside its remit. There has been an unfortunate tendency towards, and an unfortunate culture had developed of, quite aggressive tactics in questioning witnesses before the Committee of Public Accounts, and it was not as effective as a result in terms of actual fact-finding. The Committee of Public Accounts in the past had a very positive and effective role in investigating and uncovering facts around misuse of public funds. In recent years, in some instances, that role has been overstepped. We await the final judgment in April but I welcome that finding as reported today.