THE Minister for Overseas Development has appealed to aid agencies to maintain good working relations with his department in the face of severe criticisms over dramatic cuts in funding to help the world’s poor.

Dóchas, the umbrella group representing Ireland's development NGOs, today called on the Government to show leadership and improve our cooperation with the countries worst affected by the global economic crisis.

Irish aid agencies today joined forces to appeal to the Government not to cut overseas aid in the upcoming mini budget.

I’m sick of being coerced into kindness.

Almost a third of Irish adults would be uncomfortable working with someone who is HIV positive or has Aids, new research revealed today.

The rights of children all over the world will be marked later today in European Union House.

Dozens of Irish aid agencies today struck a deal banning them from using sensational images to raise awareness of their causes.

Irish aid workers are pioneering a new programme to combat female genital mutilation (FGM) in Somalia.

WORLD Vision welcomes the Irish Government’s decision to commit up to 20% of its overseas development aid spending on HIV/AIDS to programmes specifically targeted at children.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has received a public petition as part of UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

WORLD Vision Ireland are delighted that the Government has finally announced a target date to reach spending of 0.7% of GDP on overseas aid.

Aid agency World Vision Ireland has congratulated the G8 leaders on their decision to double their annual aid to the developing world.

THE main political parties are celebrating strong performances in the Seanad elections, which were completed yesterday.

COUNTING in the Seanad elections today enters its final day when all of the 49 seats should be filled.

Two full panels remain to be filled in the race for seats in the Senate election.

Dun Laoghaire Senator, Helen Keogh (Fine Gael) has welcomed the fact that the constituency of Dun Laoghaire has returned the highest 'No' vote in the country with a massive 31,476 (68.23%) votes against the government's referendum.

The chairperson of Ireland's Well Woman centres, Helen Keogh, has today condemned the Government's decision to proceed with an abortion referendum.

Overcrowding on the DART is now so bad that some commuters have to travel outwards from Dun Laoghaire to Bray and then turn around on the ‘return‘ train to have any hope of getting into Dublin at peak hours.

Fine Gael senator Helen Keogh has called for the establishment of a national cervical screening plan.

As northbound DART services from Dún Laoghaire are yet again affected this morning , Fine Gael has called for a full Garda inquiry into incidents of repeated vandalism that have caused major disruption to thousands of commuters.