Madam, - At the UN Millennium Summit in 2000, Bertie Ahern committed Ireland to donate 0.7 per cent of national income in overseas aid by 2007. He reiterated this commitment at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002.
Recently, the Minister of State for Overseas Development, Conor Lenihan remarked that he thought the commitment to reach 0.7 per cent by 2007 was "unrealistic".
Given the devastating events in south-east Asia, the Government should cease its prevarications and reappraise its Scrooge-like tight-fistedness in an effort to help suffering people in their hour of greatest need. - Yours, etc.,
ADAM MAC NULTY,
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Highthorn Park,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.