I will now continue my contribution which I started before Question Time. Reductions in developmental aid are an ideological wrong. Clearly the Government fail to recognise our responsibility on the one hand and the world's needs on the other. With our own economic well-being we should, and are honour bound to, contribute more whereas we have contributed less and less over the years to the less developed countries.
In 1986 we contributed 0.25 per cent of our GNP to international development endeavours. With our increased GNP in 1988 our contribution lessened to 0.18 per cent and now in 1990 we are contributing only 0.16 per cent. That is an absolute scandal. The Catholic Agency for World Development — Trócaire — recently investigated Irish economic benefits of developmental aid contributions. Their principal conclusion is that aid is of considerable benefit to Ireland in simple commercial terms. It is a very important, in view of our high unemployment, that Irish people can and do obtain work in developing countries. Trócaire condemn Ireland for our miserable contributions compared to our present GNP. I agree with them totally.
The fact is that Ireland is at the bottom of the official aid list in the OECD development assistance committee. Why cannot we on the periphery of the EC, and as an ex-colonial country, recognise the needs of the undeveloped countries. In my appeal for more aid for the Third World I would stress that much aid in the past has been misspent. There are many examples of this such as the large hi-tech hospitals in countries where there are not even the basic medical necessities. The provision of tractors and chemicals designed to produce cash crops for export is another area which has gone wrong. We have made many mistakes in the manner in which development aid has been channelled. Intermediate technology is needed for the Third World to encourage a level of self sufficiency where possible.
For all the lofty talk about the help we give to the Third World we frequently forget the oppression of the international banks who are bleeding the Third World dry. The repayments of interest and principal on these debts more than compensates for any aid given. I call on the Government to speak out on this issue.