Elton John’s Irish concert to be broadcast at Live 8

PLANS are being discussed to broadcast some of Sir Elton John’s concert in Dublin on Saturday as part of Live 8 events taking place around the world.

The music star is set to perform at the concert in London on Saturday afternoon before jetting off for a gig in the RDS.

The organisers of the Dublin event said discussions were underway to record some of the show for the Live 8 broadcast.

And Irish fans will also get to enjoy his London performance, following arrangements to broadcast coverage of the Live 8 concerts at his Dublin gig.

Concert organisers will be opening the gates at the RDS at 1pm and will be providing two giant screens so fans can watch Sir Elton and a host of other stars as they take to stages around the world.

Meanwhile, the Green Party has accused Taoiseach Bertie Ahern of making a hollow promise on overseas aid to secure a seat on the United Nations Security Council five years ago.

In September 2000, as Ireland was seeking a non-permanent Security Council seat, Mr Ahern told the UN Millennium Summit in New York that the Government was committing itself to spending 0.7% of gross national product (GNP) on overseas development aid by 2007. The following month, Ireland gained its seat on the Security Council for a two-year term.

The Government has since reneged on its commitment to meet the 0.7% target by 2007. Instead, it has pledged to do so by 2015.

Green Party chairman John Gormley said it was “nothing short of shameful” that the Taoiseach had reneged on his original 0.7% promise.