Billy Timmins
Question:4 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding allocated by him to Irish-American groups in 2008 and to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31893/09]
Priority Questions.
Departmental Expenditure.
Supporting Irish communities overseas, and in particular the most vulnerable members of these communities, is an important priority for the Government, as it has been for many Governments.
Since the establishment of the Irish abroad unit in 2004, the Government has allocated more than €60 million under the emigrant support programme, ESP, to support Irish communities abroad. Funding to Irish organisations in the United States has increased significantly in this same period, from just over $653,000 in 2004 to a record $5 million in 2008. This figure includes a specific item. A further $2.83 million has been allocated so far this year. Further details of grants allocated to support Irish community organisations and projects in the United States in 2008 and so far in 2009 are outlined in the table circulated for the Deputy's information.
The primary focus of this funding is to support the provision of key welfare, information and immigration advisory services to the more marginalised members of our community in the United States. The front line Irish immigration organisations offer a wide range of socially sensitive services to the undocumented, elderly, homeless and other vulnerable persons. These services make a substantive difference to the lives of thousands of Irish emigrants in the US, reducing homelessness, tackling social isolation and enabling access to local statutory entitlements.
The embassy and consulates general have also worked closely with Irish immigration centres and organisations in the United States to design innovative and collaborative projects that address specific community needs. This approach has been particularly successful in developing outreach services for the elderly, many of whom live outside the community centres' traditional catchment areas. In May of this year, the Minister for Foreign Affairs launched one such innovative project, the New York Senior Helpline.
While the support of front line welfare services continues to be the priority, the expansion of the emigrant support programme since 2003 has also enabled the Government to invest in a range of community and heritage projects, which foster a greater sense of Irish identity, in addition to strategic capital projects. In 2008, ESP grants were allocated to support flagship community projects in New York, San Francisco and Boston. These grants are a key part of the Government's approach to ensuring that the links between Ireland and Irish America remain strong and vibrant and complement other initiatives in this area, including the strategic policy review of Ireland's relationship with the United States.
Despite the current challenging budgetary situation, support for emigrant services worldwide has this year been maintained at its record 2008 level of €15.183 million. This is a significant achievement in the current economic climate, one which underlines our strong commitment to our overseas communities. The current allocation is some five times greater than the 2003 equivalent and represents a 15-fold increase on the 1997 figure.
|
Grant recipient |
2008Funding |
2009 Funding (to date) |
|
$ |
$ |
|
|
Aisling Irish Centre |
146,000 |
130,000 |
|
American Irish Historical Society |
255,000 |
160,000 |
|
Ancient Order of Hibernians — Hibernian Charities |
20,000 |
— |
|
Ancient Order of Hibernians — Thomas Meagher Memorial, Montana |
— |
10,000 |
|
Annie Moore Memorial Project |
5,000 |
— |
|
Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform |
— |
10,000 |
|
Chicago Gaelic Park |
— |
500,000 |
|
Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres |
68,000 |
68,000 |
|
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann |
— |
20,000 |
|
Commodore Barry Club |
25,000 |
13,800 |
|
Emerald Isle Immigration Centre |
196,000 |
210,000 |
|
GAA Continental Youth Championships |
28,606 |
— |
|
Gaelic-American Club Fairfield |
— |
100,000 |
|
Irish Americans in Government |
20,000 |
— |
|
Irish American Cultural Institute |
— |
50,000 |
|
Irish Apostolate, Washington |
22,000 |
23,790 |
|
New York Irish Arts Centre |
20,000 |
22,649 |
|
Irish Cultural Centre of New England |
350,000 |
350,000 |
|
Irish Festival Savannah |
15,000 |
— |
|
Irish Immigrant Support, Chicago |
125,000 |
150,000 |
|
Irish Immigration and Pastoral Centre, San Francisco |
130,000 |
140,600 |
|
Irish Immigration Centre, Boston |
200,000 |
210,000 |
|
Irish Immigration Pastoral Centre, Philadelphia |
110,000 |
130,000 |
|
Irish Immigration Support Group, Seattle |
2,500 |
5,000 |
|
Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform |
50,000 |
— |
|
Irish Outreach San Diego |
27,000 |
35,000 |
|
Irish Pastoral Centre, Boston |
172,000 |
179,516 |
|
Irish Technology Leadership Group |
— |
50,000 |
|
JFK Presidential Library and Museum, Boston |
2,000,000 |
— |
|
New York Irish Centre |
210,000 |
130,000 |
|
Ocean City Irish Student Outreach |
1,000 |
— |
|
Project Irish Outreach, New York |
112,000 |
107,386 |
|
Rockland County GAA |
200,000 |
— |
|
San Francisco GAA |
500,000 |
— |
|
Senior Helpline Project, New York |
15,000 |
25,000 |
|
Total |
$5,025,106 |
$2,830,741 |
Will the Minister of State outline how a US organisation makes its application for funding? Does it submit an application directly to the Department or to the embassy? What are the links?
I may have misheard or misinterpreted the Minister of State. Did he say one item was excluded from the funding?
One additional, very large item.
Will the Minister of State outline what that item was? In 2004, the funding amounted to $653,000 and in 2008 it was $5 million. Was this because additional funds came on stream or have circumstances deteriorated for many of the undocumented Irish in the United States? What is the current position on the attempts to obtain recognition for the undocumented Irish in the United States?
The Minister of State, Deputy Roche, said the amount of money allocated for Irish emigrant services abroad was €15.1 million last year. No reduction is proposed for this year. This contrasts starkly with the reduction in funding for Irish Aid under the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Power. Was the allocation for Irish emigrant services under threat at any stage? Was a policy decision taken to hit Irish Aid but not Irish emigrant services?
To take the last point first, as every Member of the House will be aware, we face very difficult economic circumstances and the budgetary situation could not really be worse. All programmes are under review.
On the first point, I did not mean to mislead the Deputy. There was a specific allocation of $2 million for the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum in Boston, thereby increasing the figure to $5 million. The sum of $2.8 million, which has been allocated to date in 2009, is the second highest that has been allocated. I wanted to draw attention to the $2 million for the library last year because it was a specific capital fund.
The Deputy asked how various groups apply for funding. There are very good connections between the Irish community and the embassy and consulates general. This is very much encouraged by the people we have on the ground. There is a good community network involving the Irish embassies, as I am sure the Deputy is aware. Applications are dealt with on a case-by-case basis. I visited a number of the centres in receipt of funding.
If I travel to the United States, I try to go to some of the centres we support. It strikes me that the people who are most assisted are those in the parts of the Irish diaspora who did not break through the ceiling and did not do as well as some other Irish people. We have a specific responsibility towards them.
Will the Minister of State say which organisation receives the greatest proportion of funding and what this amounts to? Does his Department ever receive representations from other groups complaining that some organisations receive funding they should not get? How are the audits of the organisations in receipt of funding carried out?
Last year, the greatest allocation was for the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. The Deputy has been given a full list of the allocations in tabular form. The second highest allocation, $500,000, was to San Francisco GAA. Some $250,000 was allocated to the American Irish Historical Society. Various grants were given, including grants as low as $25,000. The largest allocation so far this year, $350,000, was to the Irish Cultural Centre in New England. The allocations range from this sum down to approximately $10,000. There is a very wide scale and it is part of the ongoing audit in the Department.
Human Rights Issues.
Michael D. Higgins
Question:5 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent expulsion of UNICEF officials from Sri Lanka for seeking to highlight the detention of civilians and treatment of children, among others, during the conflict in the country; if he supports the call for an international investigation into human rights abuses; his views on same; and the steps the international community is taking in order to help restore peace. [31856/09]
I share the Deputy's dismay over the decision of the Government of Sri Lanka to order the expulsion of Mr. James Elder, the UNICEF communications chief in Sri Lanka, on 21 September. Mr. Elder's expulsion follows the sentencing on 31 August of the journalist J. S. Tissainayagam to 20 years hard labour by the Colombo High Court on charges of violating anti-terrorism laws. Both cases give rise to concerns related to freedom of expression and the freedom of the press in Sri Lanka. I believe an independent review should consider the allegations of serious breaches of international humanitarian law in the course of the conflict in Sri Lanka, including intensive shelling by Government forces in areas in which significant numbers of civilians were trapped, the use of civilians as human shields by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE, and the forced conscription of civilians and children into LTTE units. These are issues of concern. At the European Foreign Ministers meeting on 18 May the need for the parties to respect their obligations fully under international humanitarian and human rights law was reiterated and a call made that the alleged violations of these laws would be investigated through an independent inquiry.
The call was reiterated by the EU Presidency at a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on the situation in Sri Lanka held in Geneva from 26 to 27 May. In its national statement at the special session, Ireland also called for an independent inquiry. My preference is for this inquiry to be carried out under the auspices of the UN Human Rights Council and to cover violations perpetrated by all parties. However, efforts by the European Union to have a resolution passed which would endorse a call for an inquiry into breaches of international law have regrettably been unsuccessful. Despite this, I remain committed to the principle of such an inquiry, although I concede the chances of securing a UN-based inquiry now appears to be slim. I envisage such an inquiry as one element in the overall response of the international community to Sri Lanka's post-conflict rehabilitation and reconstruction needs.
At EU level, Foreign Ministers will discuss the situation in Sri Lanka at the General Affairs and External Relations Council in October. Ministers will discuss how best to engage the Government of Sri Lanka in a meaningful dialogue which will enable us to assist the internally displaced persons in the camps, of whom there are more than 280,000, and which will also facilitate the genuinely inclusive process of political reconciliation with the Tamil minority which is urgently needed. This must be based on the principles of parity of esteem, consent, equality, the rule of law and, above all, respect for human rights.
I am grateful to the Minister of State for his reply but it is rather depressing to hear that so little can be done. I put a number of points to the Minister of State. I understand the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, is in New York today raising the issue with the President of Sri Lanka. In that regard I trust the international community will support the Secretary General in defending the right of James Elder to express his views. Is the Minister of State not concerned at the use of the international media during the final days of this conflict? The LTTE has not sought independence for some time. Rather there are many sections of the Tamil community simply seeking recognition and parity of esteem in negotiations. Those who contacted the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs, which discussed the issue, spoke of the necessary conditions for peace talks. At the same time the Sri Lankan Government announced it was on the verge of a military victory. This has led, in turn, to the removal of Tamil civilians into what are effectively holding camps or concentration camps and this includes many young children. In fairness to James Elder, the person expelled, he drew attention in his work to the mistreatment of children on both sides, the point made by the Minister of State regarding the use of civilians, especially children, as human shields. Mr. Elder addressed this point. Is it the case that we can expect the Minister for Foreign Affairs to use his influence to support the efforts being made very directly today by the Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, to address this issue?
I agree absolutely with the Deputy. His point is well made and a purely military victory is bound to be pyrrhic. I also agree with the Deputy because a range of views exist within the Tamil community and clearly not everyone sought some form of military action. The Deputy is also correct to state — this is the strong view of the Government — that only through respect for human rights and parity of esteem can progress be made. That community and the Government of Sri Lanka must work closely together if any progress is to be made. I agree with the point made by the Deputy and the fact that more than 280,000 people are in what are effectively concentration camps in this day and age is simply not acceptable. As the Deputy is probably aware there has been very inclement weather in that area and the point was made by the UN that there is a very real danger of disease as we enter this particular season and people and civilians will suffer unnecessarily.
The Deputy asked if the Minister is supportive of Ban Ki-moon's efforts today in New York and I have no doubt the Minister is so but I would be misleading the House if I suggested that I knew there would be any direct contact. The Deputy may rest assured that it will become an issue at the next General Affairs and External Relations Council; we will give very strong support and we believe New York has a strong role to play.
There is a serious issue with which both Ministers of State will be familiar. It was an opinion advanced by Dr. Sahnoun, among others, that the previous Secretary General of the United Nations has stressed the importance of humanitarian protection. In both this case and in a case I will discuss presently related to Gaza the sovereignty argument is being used to defeat the humanitarian protection principle. The United Nations took a significant decision when it decided to invoke humanitarian protection as a principle of policy. The Sri Lankan Government has stated that the onus is on anyone interested in dealing with the issue, for which the Minister of State and I share a concern, to recognise in the first instance that it is for the Sri Lankans themselves to recognise vulnerability. If that is the case it means that humanitarian protection has gone out the window as a principle of the international community although it is a matter of fundamental importance for peace building in the world community.
The Deputy will be aware that unfortunately not all members of the UN Security Council are ad idem on this issue. It seems this is where a degree of cynicism has entered into the discussions. A member of Irish Aid rapid response has been deployed to Sri Lanka to assist in the emergency response and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Peter Power, is providing funding of €308,000 to emergency responses for NGOs. The Deputy is absolutely correct in his analysis and unless the international community speaks with one voice on this matter the issue will drag on, unfortunately.
Departmental Expenditure.
Billy Timmins
Question:6 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the implications of the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31895/09]
In light of the current challenges in the public finances, the Government is examining all areas of expenditure to identify where savings can be made, while minimising the impact on front line services to the public. The Deputy is correct to state a great range of subjects have been mentioned in the McCarthy report or the report of the special group on public sector numbers and expenditure programmes. The report suggested the following — a reduction in the number of missions to 55, currently we have 75 missions; to grade all head of mission posts at principal officer level with the exception of three or four posts; to reduce foreign service allowances by 12.5%; to cease funding to the UN Association in 2010; to cease funding to the European Movement in 2010; to reduce the allocation for contributions to international organisations by €5 million; to cease expenditure on a technical assistance programme for new EU member states; to maintain the allocation for Vote 29 (Irish Aid) at 0.39% in 2010; to extend the timeframe for reaching the UN target for overseas development aid until 2015; to reduce expenditure on support for emigrant services; to remove the free passport scheme for those aged 65 years and over; and to reduce staff numbers by 65.
Planned expenditure and resource levels for the Department are currently being considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. This will include consideration of the report of the special group and it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes. As the Deputy will be aware from my previous comments on such issues as support for emigrant services, we must make difficult choices, of that there is no doubt. There are some services which are provided through our embassies and consulates general which should be regarded as inviolable.
The Minister mentioned that it would be inappropriate for him to comment, so I assume he means in advance of budgetary Estimates. That has not prevented some of his colleagues from commenting. The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism has stated there should be no cuts, and the Tánaiste seemed to dismiss the McCarthy report today out of hand. The Minister of State is adopting a fairly responsible position. Perhaps he is looking for favour in his application for the EU Commissioner post. I wish him well in his covert — or overt — application.
There is a realisation on this side of the House that changes must be made and some areas will have to suffer because the money is not available. The Minister of State mentioned cutting back the number of embassies from 75 to 55. In doing so we should consider appropriate amalgamations because we export so much. We could develop the Irish house concept as opposed to the stand-alone embassy and Departments having various bodies and facilities abroad. We have approximately ten Irish houses across the globe. We should develop this concept rather than cut back on embassies, as it would lead to rationalisation. It may enhance the service we provide.
The list which was mentioned would do irreversible damage to our reputation.
It would be easy for me to be critical of Mr. McCarthy and his report.
The Minister of State should be.
The report considered the issue from a blank sheet perspective but we never start from a blank sheet. There would be very significant damage done in some of those areas where we have built up resources. The point made by Deputy Timmins is valid, as there is undoubtedly capacity for synergies; many of our State bodies also operate in other member states.
I am being coy in advance of the annual budgetary process, as that is just getting under way. Would that I could inform one how it will end. Axes are being wielded and as the Deputy stated, we must cut our cloth according to our measure. We must be very careful about where to impose those cuts.
I cannot recall the exact year but when Mr. Walsh was Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs there were cutbacks in the mid to late 1920s. It was only getting a pittance at the time but it took a massive hit relative to other areas. I would not like to think it would be the politically soft option because it may be so with much of the public. It fulfils a valuable and good purpose, particularly as we export so much. We must get the Department involved with trade, etc., and extend its remit rather than narrow it.
We cannot export to Latin America if there are no embassies there.
I accept the Deputy's positive contribution and synergies must be sought within existing services. The Deputy is correct in that we depend on exports; more than 80% of what we produce is exported and we must keep in touch with what is happening on the ground. The only way to do so is to be represented on the ground.
Fine Gael was very supportive of the Farmleigh project which took place over the weekend and brought back members of the Irish diaspora. I called for such an event down through the years.
The Deputy is extending the question somewhat.
I heard some derogatory comments from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, on the matter but we were campaigning for a "Yes" vote on the Lisbon treaty at the weekend so we could not attend for the duration.
I acknowledge the last point. I was fully aware that the Fine Gael Party leader had commitments at the time of the event.
Foreign Conflicts.
Michael D. Higgins
Question:7 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he will take and the initiatives, within the European Union, that he will initiate or support by way of response to the UN report on the recent killings, injuries and destruction in Gaza and neighbouring areas in Israel (details supplied); and the further steps as indicated in the report as appropriate Ireland will initiate or support. [32668/09]
The report of the UN fact-finding mission on the Gaza conflict mandated by the UN Human Rights Council last April and chaired by the distinguished South African jurist, Judge Richard Goldstone, was issued on 15 September. The House will know that it makes for salutary reading. Judge Goldstone and his team, including retired Irish Army officer, Colonel Desmond Travers, have produced an extraordinarily comprehensive report with evidence compiled from almost 200 individual interviews and an examination of over 300 reports and submissions as well as public hearings held in both Gaza and Geneva. The report will be formally introduced in the UN Human Rights Council on 29 September.
The main findings of the Goldstone report are deeply disturbing. The evidence it presents indicates that serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, amounting to war crimes and possible crimes against humanity, were committed by both Israeli military forces and Palestinian armed groups during Operation Cast Lead.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs has consistently underlined the Government's view that the most serious incidents which occurred during the Gaza conflict required a full and impartial investigation. The Government also believes, as the Minister has made clear, that there must be full accountability for any serious violations of international law committed during the conflict. The Goldstone report makes a number of important recommendations with a view to ensuring such accountability. These include possible reference to the UN Security Council and even to the International Criminal Court in the event of the very serious allegations documented not being properly and independently investigated by Israel and the authorities in Gaza.
The exhaustive findings and recommendations made by Judge Goldstone and his colleagues deserve the most serious consideration by all those concerned with the defence of human rights. It is appropriate that the report should receive full and urgent consideration at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. As I have indicated, this will happen next week during the course of the council's current session. We are working closely with our EU partners at present on the development of the EU's response to the report. Although Ireland is not currently a member of the Human Rights Council, we will help to prepare the ground for fruitful discussion there and the preparation of an appropriate response by the council.
Is the Minister of State concerned about the use of the name of former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, in dismissing the Goldstone report? The media responses from the Israeli side have suggested that former President Robinson, a distinguished international jurist, declined to participate in the exercise on the basis that the terms of reference were not acceptable to her.
Leaving that aside, Professor Goldstone is a very distinguished scholar who has made enormous contributions towards peace building and so forth, and a number of questions now arise. He has suggested a set of actions which should follow the report. For the sake of economy I will put my questions into two brief categories. He has drawn attention to the fact that the materials which were approved by Israel two years ago, for example, which were worth €29 million have not been executed by way of building and repair because of the blockade. The other projects which UNRWA would seek to develop could provide employment and shelter and they are valued at approximately €1 billion. Mr. John Ging has welcomed the Goldstone report and particularly those aspects which would free up materials to help the people of Gaza immediately.
On the legal side of the Goldstone report, it has already been bad-mouthed. There is the suggestion that if there is no compliance, the matter should move on to the UN Security Council and the International Criminal Court. What is the position of the Government on the suggested strategy in the short term with regard to humanitarian aid, and in the medium term with regard to legal strategy?
I have previously discussed the matter with the Deputy. On several occasions at European Council of Ministers meetings I have stressed the point on which there is general agreement in this House; it is simply wrong in every sense of the word that the people who live in Gaza should be isolated and aid should have to go through the current process and be delayed as a result.
On the other point, one should dismiss the comments about our former President for what they are, black propaganda aimed partly at undermining the Goldstone report. The point about the report which jumps off the pages is a comment that an action which was supposed to begin as self-defence was disproportionate and tried to punish, humiliate and terrorise the civilian population. That is unacceptable from any civilised country.
It also criticised Hamas.
We must be balanced. It also criticised Hamas and its use of rockets as deliberate and focused terror attacks on Israeli citizens. We have been around the grounds on that before. The Government will continue, with its EU partners, to support a request that Israel terminate its completely erroneous policy in respect of the blockade as quickly as possible. Mr. Ging has been extremely important in the context of identifying the priorities in that regard. As already stated, if a full and independent inquiry does not come about on foot of the Goldstone report, the appropriate response would be to refer the matter to the international courts.
Although it is not currently a member, do I take it that Ireland will return to the UN Human Rights Council with a response in respect of the Goldstone report? Will Ireland make a submission in respect of that report?
I hope we will do so. As the Deputy is aware, I formerly held a UN human rights fellowship. I take a particular interest in this matter. One of the saddest aspects of what is happening in the Middle East is that Israel, which should know more than any other nation about affronts to human dignity, has become mired in this situation. Unless both sides decide to respect human dignity and the rule of international law, a solution will not be found in respect of this particularly troubled region.
Overseas Development Aid.
John Deasy
Question:8 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will freeze funding of overseas development aid at current levels and give an undertaking that there will be no further cuts in the ODA budget in the lifetime of the Government. [31759/09]
Ireland has an enviable and impressive record on funding overseas development assistance, ODA. Our progress up the league table of development donors has been realised through a combination of strong economic growth and our desire to move in a planned manner towards the UN target of spending 0.7% of GNP on ODA. This approach has served Ireland's development assistance programme well.
The aid figures clearly demonstrate just how successful our approach has been. In the past six years alone Ireland has contributed well in excess of €4 billion to ODA. The annual development aid budget more than trebled between 2000 and 2008. In the same period, we almost doubled our share of GNP spent on ODA from 0.3% to 0.59%. In 2008, Ireland's total spending on the development assistance programme was €920 million, or approximately 0.59% of GNP. This made Ireland the sixth most generous donor in the world on a per capita basis, an impressive achievement of which we can all be justifiably proud. The total budget for ODA in 2009 is expected to reach €696 million. Based on current projections, this will represent at least 0.48% of GNP. This means that Ireland will remain one of the most generous donors in the world on a per capita basis.
I fully recognise that the reduction in the 2009 ODA budget has been significant. However, this necessary but regrettable decision was made solely in the context of the exceptional economic situation the country currently faces. Our sole objective is to assist in stabilising the public finances to establish a solid platform for renewed economic growth. This is the only secure and sustainable way for Ireland to meet its commitments to ODA.
The Estimates process that will lead to the introduction of the budget in December is under way. No decisions have yet been made in respect of the aid budget for 2010. As the Deputy will be aware, these are difficult times and there are many competing and deserving demands for scarce resources. However, our aid programme must be protected to the maximum possible extent achievable in the current circumstances. I cannot provide an undertaking in respect of the exact figure for development assistance for 2010 in advance of the budget, which is the prerogative of the Minister for Finance and the Government. However, the Deputy may rest assured that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and I will make the strongest possible case for the aid programme as part of the Estimates process.
The Minister of State referred to planning. I have been informed by NGOs that they cannot make plans. They are making people redundant in the programme countries and cannot plan ahead in respect of their programmes. The ambassadors who have come before the sub-committee indicate that they are breaking the commitments they made in these countries.
The other Minister of State present, Deputy Roche, referred earlier to attracting reputational damage by making cuts too severe. The question that arises revolves around the point at which we will incur massive reputational damage in the programme countries by breaking our commitments in respect of aid. I accept that the country is facing into extremely uncertain economic times. However, our ambassadors, their staff and the NGOs that we fund require a degree of certainty so that they might continue the life-and-death work they are doing. There will come a point when the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Power, will be obliged to make a case to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Cabinet to the effect that the damage we will do by making further cuts will in turn lead to our incurring major reputational damage in the programme countries.
I accept the Deputy's point that it is difficult for NGOs to plan ahead. It is extremely difficult to plan our budget for 2010 now because we simply do not know the Exchequer returns for October and November. In view of the unpredictable nature of the financial and economic crisis the world faces, we are finding it difficult to make plans across every Department and in respect of the economy as a whole. In January we made a significant, up-front payment of 70% of the entire funding for the MAPS partners — our largest partners — for the year to try to confer on them a degree of certainty in an extremely unpredictable environment.
The targets relating to ODA are expected to be reached over a period of many years. It would be well nigh impossible to reach those targets in a uniform and linear fashion, even in an ideal and predictable economic cycle. We are not in such a cycle at present. Rather, we are in the middle of an unpredictable period. The Government must take a long-term view and state that these targets are expressed over a period of many years. The question we must answer is how we can achieve those targets in a way which will ensure that our programmes remain sustainable. In addition, we must also balance our efforts against the reputational damage that might be incurred by the country. Such damage would be far worse if we allowed the country slide into the type of situation which obtained in the 1980s when we did not confront our difficulties in a timely manner.