Gay Mitchell
Ceist:7 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of children in developing countries who died from malnutrition and disease in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4299/00]
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Child Mortality in Developing Countries.
The most recent information available to me on the subject is from a report by UNICEF entitled "The State of the World's Children 1998 – Focus on Nutrition". Malnutrition, according to the report, plays a role in more than half of the nearly 12 million deaths each year of children under five in developing countries. The report notes that malnutrition is the result of multiple causes, including a lack of food, common and preventable infections, inadequate care and unsafe water.
The state of the world's children report, 1998 also points to some progress. Nearly 60% of the world's salt is now iodised and millions of children every year are spared mental retardation as a result. Vitamin A supplements are helping bolster disease resistance in children and may soon become an important measure in helping reduce maternal deaths around the world.
The Deputy will be aware that the focus of the Irish aid programme, both at multilateral and bilateral levels, is on the least developed countries and that primary health care, especially the health of children, nutrition and food security are central components of that focus.
Does the Minister agree that the numbers dying annually from easily preventable diseases and malnutrition is probably nearer to ten million per annum? Would he therefore agree that in the context of this holocaust each year it is appalling that again this year Ireland will not meet even half of the contribution of 0.7% of GNP to the developing world as set down by the UN? Does he agree that it is time we took this issue from the annual Estimates wrangle and legislated for it?
There have been considerable increases in recent years and I am sure the Deputy will agree that the increases, particularly in the past two years, have been especially significant. As a result of these increases, Ireland is playing a far more significant role than heretofore. I assure the Deputy that we are all concerned by the statistics which are emerging. The Government is most anxious to provide as much money as possible for this most worthwhile and urgent area and will continue to make available as much money as possible in future years.
Does the Minister agree that if Ireland was in a position to meet its own commitment of 0.7% of GNP we would be in a position to put pressure on our EU colleagues to do the same and that when we asked creditor nations to forego debt to Third World countries we might speak with greater authority?
There is no doubt that Ireland has spoken with great authority on this issue, as is borne out by our actions in recent years. The Deputy can be assured that the current Minister will be using every available opportunity to influence our European partners in terms of increasing resources as much as possible.