Madam, – The letter regarding aid funding (October 26th) seems to disregard the fact that Ireland Inc is almost bankrupt. Instead of pleading for a return to the profligate ways of old, the signatories should be asking the Government to aid smarter rather than to aid more.
The bulk of Irish spending on aid is in the form of government to government grants – the dogs in the streets of the third world can tell you that at least half of such aid money is trousered by local politicians and civil servants.
It is time to abandon this wasteful practice and to redirect aid spending to the Irish NGOs that have so distinguished themselves in achieving value for money. The result on the ground would be more aid for less expenditure! – Yours, etc,