Gilmore defends €600m aid spend

The spending of more than €600m on overseas aid this year has been defended by Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore as “the right thing to do”, despite the economic crisis.

But he stressed smarter use would be made of funds to ensure results in terms of helping poorer countries work their way out of aid programmes, stabilise after conflict, and develop mutually beneficial trade links.

The Tánaiste was speaking at the publication of a policy document that will guide Irish Aid spending priorities over the next four years.