asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the circumstances under which he agreed to spend only the same percentage of the gross national product on assistance to the Third World as last year, in view of his Government's commitment in the programme for Government to increase such aid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Third World Assistance.
11.
Official development assistance in 1984 will amount to £33.8 million, an increase of almost £4 million on last year's expenditure. This increase will enable some expansion in real terms of the overall aid programme. It is true, however, that official development assistance expressed as a percentage of GNP is likely to remain the same in 1984 as it was in 1983.
The Government's commitment to increase official development assistance remains unchanged. Due to the exceptional economic difficulties facing the country, it has not been possible to achieve an increase in terms of GNP this year.
Is the Minister aware that there is a great problem in what is often referred to as the Third World and that we have an opportunity to give leadership, particularly through the Presidency of the EEC by trying to encourage——
That is a separate question.
Would the Minister consider that we have an opportunity to give leadership by trying to encourage assistance and by giving leadership within the EEC in at least meeting our commitment to a reasonable percentage of GNP in this regard?
I agree with what the Deputy says and I very much wish that what we are giving was a great deal bigger than it is now. I regret that we were not able to get a percentage increase in 1984 over 1983. The fact that we have got an increase in monetary terms in 1984 over 1983, given the very difficult economic circumstances at the moment, is appreciated by many of the aid groups in the country and has been accepted by them as a recognition by the Government of their commitment to increase aid.
How do we stand in relation to other EEC countries? Have other countries met their percentage of GNP or exceeded it? Are we up with the leaders in meeting what we gave as an undertaking in this regard?
I do not think we are up with the leaders but we are not at the bottom of the list either. I have not got that information with me.
We are about halfway.