Minister appeals to aid agencies to maintain good relations

THE Minister for Overseas Development has appealed to aid agencies to maintain good working relations with his department in the face of severe criticisms over dramatic cuts in funding to help the world’s poor.

Minister Peter Power told the annual general meeting of Dóchas, the umbrella group of 39 Irish charities with overseas projects, that he greatly regretted the budget cuts, but said: “This has been a particularly uncertain and difficult year.”

“All of us recognise this as a time of enormous challenge for all involved in the international development sector, both for Dóchas and for Irish Aid. It is easy to speak of partnership in good times but more difficult to sustain in a positive manner when difficult decisions need to made,” he said.