Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I really appreciate the Senator giving us this opportunity and I fundamentally agree with every point she made. I want to put the following on the record of this House. We, in Ireland, have a responsibility in the coming weeks and months to stand up for what is right in the world, and we do that well. We believe in the multilateral order, in the work of the United Nations and in maintaining our commitment. Yes, the US is responsible for 27% of global overseas development aid but the EU is responsible for over 40%. Therefore, we have a twin challenge here. How do we work to offset potential changes to the funding of UN bodies? How do we work to offset really vital country programmes? Equally, however, how do we make sure the agenda of the EU is not changed because developments in the United States may give carte blanche to European Union member states Union that have already cut their budgets and to other Europe countries as well?

I regret the fact Anneliese Dodds has had to step down. I was really looking forward to meeting her this week but we have a responsibility within the EU. I look forward to working with Senator Stephenson and, indeed, my party colleague, Senator Lynch, who is our international secretary, to make sure the EU stands up and is counted, and that we stick by the global south. Ireland has a unique role to play in this. I will be extremely loud over the coming weeks and months, domestically and internationally, standing up for that, and I know the Senator will join the chorus with me.