ODA Targets and Programme Cuts
Griffin argued that the reduced aid allocation put the programme and Ireland’s international reputation at risk, and challenged the Government’s retreat from the UN target. The Chair curtailed his question.
Will the Minister now agree that his Government have abandoned the optimum targets set by the UN of 0.75 per cent of GNP for ODA? It is now a miserly 0.185 per cent of GNP. Would he agree that with the massive cut of £11 million in the Estimates for 1988 the very fabric and structure of the ODA programme are now in jeopardy? Would he further agree that the moral reputation of Ireland built up so well by the previous Government on international fora has been substantially damaged by the repudiation of many of our statutory and voluntary commitments to the ODA programme? Will he indicate what projects in the bilateral aid in the countries with which we have relationship. Lesotho, Sudan, Zambia and Tanzania, at present being undertaken will now be prevented from completion? I have a further question——