Call for Taoiseach to deliver on foreign aid vow

IRISH bishops and campaigners yesterday called on the Government to honour its overseas aid pledge by the year 2010.

Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, Dr Seán Brady along with other bishops noted the continued demand by the public to meet the promise of 0.7% of GDP for aid.

“We believe the poorest nations of the world continue to look to Ireland to set the global standard for commitment to development aid. We also believe there is substantial support among the Irish people for a compelling and world-leading target, which will express their commitment to a more just and compassionate world,” he said.

Bishops launched a pastoral letter ‘Towards the Global Common Good’ at the Mansion house, Dublin.

Trócaire chairman, Bishop John Kirby, said: “An Taoiseach has the chance next week to deliver a new commitment on behalf of the Irish people, a commitment that is realistic, achievable and morally required.”

The Irish branch of the MakePovertyHistory campaign urged the Government to deliver its promise to poor countries.

Supporters from up to 40 groups last night held an all night ‘sit-out’ at Government buildings where a giant digital counter stated a child dies every three seconds in the Third World.

It was planned to coincide with the UN World Summit in New York next Wednesday. Bertie Ahern is expected to set a new deadline for spending 0.7% of GDP on overseas aid.

The Government was criticised last November after it emerged its original pledge made at the Millennium Summit in New York in September 2000 to achieve this target by 2007, would not be met.

Campaign spokesman Colin Roche last night said: “It’s now time for the Government to deliver on its broken promise.

“We’re calling on the Taoiseach to go to New York next week with a credible plan for delivering on the commitment made to the world’s poor and to announce we will reach the target by no later than 2010.”

The campaign calls for rich countries to deliver more aid and cancel debt.

Meanwhile, Overseas Aid Minister, Conor Lenihan yesterday announced €1 million for Malawi, which is facing similar food shortages to Niger.