German development minister Dirk Niebel has sparked a debate when he recently expressed doubts on whether the German government could and should remain committed to its target of allocating 0.7 percent of its gross domestic product for development assistance by 2015, The Local reports. Niebel aired this position as Germany drew flak over its failure to commit to its promised aid funding levels. Niebel is meanwhile receiving praise for his move to merge three German aid agencies - GTZ, DED and InWent - for efficiency in aid delivery.