Kenny criticises PDs over foreign aid

The Fine Gael leader has accused the Progressive Democrats of "bleating loudly" when the Government reneged on its commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of GNP on overseas aid by 2007.

Mr Enda Kenny said the Government had made an absolute commitment to the UN in 2000 to meet that target, but the truth was that it would not deliver.

When that happened "we were treated to another round of the PDs behaving like the Opposition, as if the Government over there had nothing whatsoever to do with them".

But Mr Kenny said "when they bleat loudly and to the contrary, I would remind them of that matter of collective responsibility".

He criticised the Tánaiste for saying there were demands competing with overseas development aid targets, including disability and healthcare, and he quoted a woman with a disability who was outraged that ODA and disability would be linked in any way. "Is the horse-racing industry not a competing demand?" she had asked.

He was speaking on a Fine Gael private members' motion introduced by foreign affairs spokesman, Mr Bernard Allen, calling for the Government to meet the target and to legislate so that the funding was automatically allocated each year.

Earlier the PD former minister, Ms Liz O'Donnell, who had responsibility for the target's introduction, told the Dáil she felt an obligation to pursue the commitment and the Foreign Affairs committee had deplored the Government's "backsliding".

Ms O'Donnell, however, voted with the Government on the issue. The motion was defeated by 63 votes to 57.

Ireland made the UN commitment "because it was the right thing to do", she said. Ireland was showing solidarity with Africa, and there was no problem with capacity. "People are dying for more money. To me it is far more important than many of the issues we discuss in this house. It is our only foreign affair. It is the one issue for which Ireland is renowned all over the world."

Urging every TD to visit the projects and see for themselves, she said that the Minister of State, Mr Conor Lenihan, was visiting Africa and "I think he will return a changed man".

Minister of State Mr Noel Treacy said there had been no cutback in Ireland's funding and Mr Lenihan should be congratulated for that and for achieving an increase of 15 per cent in funding.

Mr Tony Gregory (Ind, Dublin Central) said the commitment represented just 70 cent in every 100 euro.

The Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said the motion was about a debt of honour, owed by the Irish people to the poorest in the world.