Sir, – Harry McGee’s article (“A healthy dose of small good things”, Weekend Review, August 18th) comes as a very welcome reminder that Ireland’s overseas aid makes a real difference to hundreds of thousands of people.
The testimonials from ordinary people reaffirm the impact of Ireland’s solidarity with the most vulnerable people.
Mr McGee gives a voice to a group who do not have the ability to claim their rights, and reminds us of our obligation, as members of the international community, to help promote human dignity and human rights. And ultimately, your article reminds us of the reasons why Ireland should progress towards our commitment to the United Nations of spending 0.7 per cent of our national income on overseas aid by 2015. – Yours, etc,