Stars urge Govt not to renege debt commitment

Stars including Bob Geldof and Bono, along with former president Mary Robinson, have written to the Taoiseach calling on the Government not to roll back on its commitments to provide 0.7% of GNP to overseas aid by 2007.

Concern was raised during the past week when Minister of State Conor Lenihan said hopes of achieving the 0.7% target were unrealistic.

The letter said they feared that if Ireland reneged on its commitments, other countries would certainly follow suit but if Ireland fulfilled its obligation it would become a world leader in the fight against global poverty.