Jim Higgins
Question:12 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he considers it necessary to have a further examination of the level of Irish Government funding to the United Nations Children's Fund.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - UN Children's Fund.
My Department continue to support the valuable work of UNICEF — UN Children's Fund — in developing countries through their annual voluntary contribution to the budget of the organisation. The Government also respond to requests from UNICEF for emergency assistance. The voluntary allocation to UNICEF for 1990 is IR£123,000. This figure represents an increase of over 4 per cent on last year's contribution.
The amount of Ireland's contribution to UNICEF — as to the other UN development and relief agencies — is reviewed annually. As budgetary circumstances permit it is hoped to increase Ireland's contribution in real terms to UNICEF.
I find the Minister's reply very disappointing in view of the fact that in 1985 the allocation by the then Coalition Government of Fine Gael and Labour amounted to £380,000. In 1986 that figure was increased to £420,000. In the first year of the Fianna Fáil administration that figure was reduced by £100,000 to £320,000. In 1988 there was a further reduction bringing the figure to £105,000, in 1989 the figure was £120,000 and, alleluia, we see a 4 per cent increase this year bringing the figure to £123,000. In view of the fact that 14 million children die annually and of the very spontaneous, generous outpouring by the public here in response to such famine catastrophes, would the Minister not agree that the response of the Government, to put it mildly, is unChristian, niggardly and parsimonious?
The Estimate for this year has been increased over last year; whereas it was £118,000 in 1989 it is now £123,000. In addition we contribute to UNICEF from the disaster relief fund for emergencies and have done so in 1988 and 1989. I might remind Deputy Higgins that the Estimates for 1987 about which he spoke, in the main, were prepared by the Coalition Government who went out of office in January 1987——
But not that figure.
When the figure was £320,000.
That was the figure. The Minister of State should not try on that one.
I might also remind him that had not that Government taken action then we might not well be here at all discussing the development fund. That is the reality. The Coalition Parties when in Government talked about doing things but, in 1987, we were left with the task of implementing them.
Fianna Fáil reduced them; the figures are there; anybody can see them.
Of course we reduced them, as we did other things. I heard Deputies last evening and this morning looking for extra money for health and education. They talked about doing things but we had to actually do them.
"Health cuts hurt the old, the sick and the poor"; does the Minister of State remember that one?
In view of the fact that the achievement of the immunisation target by UNICEF and others is the next big one, and also the expansion of their ORT programme, and that while we have been discussing this question 25 children have died, without making reference to previous administrations would the Minister of State not agree that it would be publicly supported if he announced an increased grant to the United Nations Children's Fund on a once-off basis and say that one would retain that into future budgets? Would he recommend that to Cabinet?
I would hate to recommend to future Governments what they might or might not do in regard to budgetary matters. If I did I would be told I should mind my own business. I might reiterate that the level of contribution will be kept under review. If there is a need, as Deputy Higgins has said, if an emergency arises, then that emergency will be met as has been the case in the past.
The emergency is there.
Would the Minister of State give the same commitment as his senior Minister in view of the fact that there was an over-estimate of £1 million in the ODA budget, that he too would seek to have some, if not all, of that money restored to the budget thus allowing him to increase the fund of £123,000 by another £250,000 at a minimum to the UNICEF organisation?
The Deputy heard what the Minister said. The Minister will be at Cabinet, he will do the fighting and I will certainly be able to back him with anything I can do.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 13.
It is your responsibility, Minister.
It has already been done.
What? You mean that we got the million pounds back?
No, I have already asked for it to be restored.