asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concern at the failure of the Government to restore the funding for Overseas Development Aid to an adequate level.

17.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proportion of gross national product which will be spent on overseas development aid during 1990; when it is expected that the UN target figure for such aid of 0.7 per cent will be reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

46.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the target percentage of gross national product the Government propose to allocate to development co-operation as part of Government policy; if the Government have formally abandoned the United Nations agreed target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

53.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that Ireland's official development programme will be increased in 1990 and successive years in order to progress towards the 0.7 per cent gross national product United Nations target, having regard to the fact that Ireland has now the worst record in Europe in development aid from Government as a percentage of gross national product.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4, 17, 46 and 53 together.

I am, of course, aware of the views of development agencies and others on increasing ODA funding. The amount provided in the 1990 Estimates for official development assistance shows an increase of almost £0.9 million over the 1989 revised figure of £34.6 million. In percentage terms the amount provided for ODA in 1990 will represent 0.16 of GNP.

As has already been said, in reply to a number of previous similar questions, the Government remain committed to achieving the UN target of 0.7 per cent of GNP for official development assistance. This has been accepted by successive Governments but no date has ever been set for its attainment. In the present budgetary circumstances it is not possible to do so. It, however, remains the intention of the Government to work towards the achievement of this target as economic circumstances permit.

Would the Taoiseach agree that it would be very difficult to achieve the target if one was moving backwards, given that the figure last year was 0.17 per cent whereas in 1990 it will be 0.16 per cent? Would he further agree that in 1984 Deputy O'Kennedy said that the figure by 1990 would be £50 million? Would he also agree, given that the figure in 1986 was £11.4 million, that it is nothing to be proud of that the figure in 1990 will be £35 million? Would he reconsider this figure, in view of the consensus which exists in this House and among development agencies that overseas development aid should be restored to its previous level, that we get back on track and achieve the United Nations target?

I would point out to the Deputy that we are in fact providing an extra £1 million in 1990 over the figure for 1989.

A gross figure.

In these difficult times that is something which should be recognised. I would have to say to the Deputy that the Government are under seige, practically, from so many quarters for increased funding, all of which are desirable and to which we would like to respond positively, but we are still in a difficult financial position and still have an enormous burden of debt, £25 billion. Even though we are making some progress in stabilising and reducing the level of the national debt, as a percentage of GNP, there is still a very long way to go. I am sure every Deputy in this House is in touch with some Minister or other about some deserving cause in his or her constituency or about some cause, of interest to him or her, on the national scene, asking for more funding for this or that. Therefore it is not an easy situation and the Government are not completely free, as the Deputy knows, to just accede to every request, no matter how desirable or pathetic some of these cases may be.

I have to say——

Might I just finally——

——that the time available for Priority Questions is long since exhausted. I will allow a brief question.

Would the Taoiseach not be moved by considerations of self interest? Is it not incongruous that Irish benefit from exports relating to aid have risen from 3 to 10 per cent to a figure of £650 million? Is it not only reasonable to expect that the level of aid would increase rather than go backwards?

It is not going back between 1989 and 1990.

It is, by .01 per cent.

We must move on to other questions.

The actual amount of money has increased.

But we are down as a percentage.

I have to call other questions now.

There were four questions included. Is it not possible to ask a question?

No, as the Deputy may well be aware, the Chair can only entertain supplementary questions from the Deputies who tabled questions for Priority. Question No. 5 please.