There was all party support for a motion to allow Ireland to join the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). The Minister of State for the Environment, Mr Bernard Allen, said the GEF was established in 1991 by the World Bank as a pilot programme to assist in the protection of the global environment and the promotion of sustainable development.

There were now 155 participating countries and a fund of $2 billion pledged by donor countries for the period 1994-97. Ireland's contribution would amount to £1.7 million over the four years.