Agencies accuse ministers of hypocrisy over aid cuts

LEADING aid agencies last night accused the Government of hypocrisy as Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin defended the €95 million cut in overseas aid.

Concern Worldwide chief Tom Arnold said it was a shocking attack on the poorest and most vulnerable.

“Even before this aid cut, the poorest of the world’s poor were already taking the brunt of the impact of the global recession,” he said.

“Ireland can’t stand on the world stage saying one thing and get the plaudits for it and then take it away when no-one is looking.”

Mr Arnold said that added to the €60m cuts over the past year, Overseas Aid was facing a 17% drop in its budget.

Trocaire’s Justin Kilcullen said the cut is the equivalent of the Government withdrawing aid from Ethiopia, Mozambique and Uganda.

“This is very bad news for the extreme poor,” he said.

Oxfam Ireland chief Jim Clarken said: “The cuts come at a time when the world’s poor will be hit hardest by the economic recession.

“It’s highly disappointing that the Government has targeted the assistance to desperately poor people for disproportionate cuts.”

Mr Martin defended the cuts, insisting Ireland will remain the sixth most generous donor in terms of population, sending €796m to countries this year.

“This year, as in recent years, Ireland will have one of the strongest aid programmes in the world, with a particular focus on the poorest people in the developing world, especially in Africa.

“We will also continue to take a leadership role internationally on the global hunger crisis.

“Our aid programme will reflect this priority.”

However, Goal chief John O’Shea said the aid package should also be greeted with some relief.

“We would hope that the Government will not reduce funding to organisations or institutions with a proven track record of reaching the poorest of the poor,” Mr O’Shea said.

“Rather the cuts should fall on African regimes that have failed to deliver.”