THE COUNTRY’S three main overseas aid agencies have appealed to the Government to refrain from cutting the development budget for the Third World as part of any programme of cost-saving measures.
Concern chief executive Tom Arnold recalled the Government’s longstanding pledge to meet the UN target for overseas aid within the next four years.
“I certainly understand the need for Government savings in light of the current budgetary situation but would hope that the aid budget would be protected, given the Government’s solemn international commitment to meet the UN target of 0.7 per cent of GNP.
“If it were to deviate from that at this stage it could be very hard to get back on track to meet the promised date for achieving this target of 2012,” Mr Arnold said.
Goal chief executive John O’Shea said the prospect of the cut came to light when it emerged that €67 million had been underspent in the Government’s overseas development budget and that, “Taoiseach Brian Cowen has refused to rule out the possibility of cuts.
“Any proposal to cut aid to the poorest people on the planet would be deplorable,” Mr O’Shea said. “Goal urges Mr Cowen to stick by the Government’s pledge to keep its commitments to the Third World.”
Trócaire director Justin Kilcullen said: “The Irish Government commitment on overseas aid was given twice at the UN General Assembly when the heads of governments agreed the minimum required to realise the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. The Government cannot renege on its promise again.
“Ireland’s overseas aid is making a significant contribution towards reducing poverty in the world’s poorest countries. Without Ireland’s assistance thousands of children would not be in school and thousands more would not have access to clean water, essential medicines and vaccines.”
Fine Gael defence spokesman Jimmy Deenihan called for a portion of the €67 million to be allocated to the Defence Forces for humanitarian aid.
