I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 31, 44, 46, 102, 105 and 107 together.
I am aware of the recent survey and of its verification of the strong popular support for development aid. I am aware too of The Reality of Aid report referred to.
The position on the question of aid allocations is that we have for many years accepted the United Nations target for aid volumes of 0.7% of gross national product. We accept too that, despite very high annual cash growth in the programme, the rate of increase in GNP since 1996 and the mathematical impact of introducing a new method for calculating GNP have effectively slowed progress to the UN target. However, it is undeniable that official development assistance has grown hugely in volume terms, from £40 million in 1992 to £178 million in 1999, a fact that has been acknowledged by our donor peers and our partner countries in Africa. In addition, a review of the aid programme carried out in 1999 verified the Irish commitment to quality and sustainability.