Ireland urges rich nations to increase foreign aid

The Government has called on the world’s rich nations top increase their aid to developing countries. Speaking at a conference on development aid in Mexico, Junior Minister Liz O’Donnell pointed out that just five countries have met the UN aid target of 0.7% of GDP.

Ireland is expected to meet the target by 2007. "It requires an international consensus now that the rich countries of the world will really ratchet up their aid and make that aid effective," Ms O’Donnell said.