Cowen defends failure to tackle China on abuses

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen last night turned his attentions to the problem of world hunger while defending his failure to bring up human rights abuses with his Chinese hosts.

Mr Cowen was set to address the EU-Asia summit in Beijing today where he will push the Irish Government’s taskforce plan to tackle poverty.

The Taoiseach wants the 43-nation body to take the lead in ensuring the 900 million people who go to bed hungry each night are lifted out of despair.