Group queries role of Irish aid workers

COMHLAMH, the umbrella group for returned development volunteers, has urged the Government to abandon its commitment to sending 2,000 Irish aid workers overseas.

The target, which is contained in the last two programmes for government, has proved controversial with many aid workers who see it as "an Irish solution to an African problem". At the time it was mooted it was seen by some observers as a way of cutting the dole queues in Ireland.

Comhlamh's call coincides with a documentary to be screened on RTE 1 tonight, in which aid workers criticise their role in the developing world. Some argue that aide money would be better spent directly on developing countries and on building solidarity in the developed world, rather than on the salaries of aid workers.

"Our members are proud of Ireland's tradition of voluntary service overseas. This country still has a lot to learn and contribute through overseas development work," said Mr Robin Hanan, co-ordinator of Comhlamh.

"It is time to recognise, however, the growing international understanding that development work is only effective when it reinforces the development efforts of local communities. There are no Irish solutions to African problems but we can contribute to solving g and local problems if we work in genuine partnership."

Ireland's aid programme should concentrate on the quality of its intervention, and not just on the quantity of volunteers He welcomed the policy of the Minister of State for Overseas Co-operation, Ms Joan Burton, to emphasise support for the development efforts of African countries.

Irish Aid now supports 1,400 development workers overseas, but the rate of growth has slowed down. In tonight's programme, We Still Want You But..., aid agency representatives concede there have been both successes and failures in their work.

"You have young people, sometimes straight from school, or they're expert economists, and they're going into countries they don't have a clue about," Ms Rose Tuilo Brock of the Galway One World Centre said. "Maybe the best thing they could do is to stay at home."