Robinson wants Ahern to lead the world on committing to overseas aid

AS the UN prepares to abandon many of the ambitious plans for tackling world poverty and injustice, an appeal was made to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to give a lead to the rest of the world on overseas aid.

The Taoiseach, who arrived in New York last night and will address the summit of world leaders tonight, will announce Ireland’s new target after abandoning his pledge to reach 0.7% of GNP by 2007.

He will endorse, with 190 other member leaders, a watered-down list of reforms and will return most of the contentious issues to future UN general assemblys to tease out.