Madam, - Having worked overseas in East Africa for a number of years, it was with surprise that I read the report, "Department refuses to publish Irish Aid audits" (March 24th). The implication of the Department of Foreign Affairs response to your journalist is that there is something to hide in these reports. After all, it is public money and the public have a right to know how their money is spent or misspent, as the case may be.
The White Paper on Irish aid states that aid will be guided by five principles. One principle is "public ownership" and it goes on to state that "the programme will be delivered in an open, accountable and transparent manner". Another principle is effectiveness and quality assurance: it states that "we will use public resources efficiently and effectively, providing value for money for the Irish taxpayer".
I am also surprised that the audit unit set up to "gain assurance that funds granted are used for the purposes intended" is unable to give us that assurance.
Has there been a change of policy in relation to these core principles which guide Irish Aid? If so the public need to be informed. If there is no change in policy why is the department not implementing its own fundamental operational principles? What is there to hide? Taxpayers have a right to know what is happening to their money. The only conclusion that I can draw is that in the case of seven out of eight audit reports carried out during 2006 and 2007, the findings are so negative that they cannot be shared with those who fund the programmes - the Irish taxpayer.
Does it mean that Irish Aid no longer gets value for money for Irish taxpayers? I think we need better explanations that that and we need to live by the principles we say guide our aid programme! - Yours, etc,
Dr EAMONN BREHONY, Marine Village, Ballina/Killaloe, Co Tipperary.