Taoiseach to depart for UN summit in New York

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is due to depart for New York today to attend the annual United Nations summit of world leaders.

More than 170 heads of state are expected to attend the event, which is being held within the framework of the UN General Assembly in the coming days.

It also coincides with the 60th anniversary of the founding of the UN.

Mr Ahern is due to address the New York summit tomorrow night, when he is expected to announce a new target for Ireland's commitments on overseas aid.

The Government had promised to provide 0.7% of GNP in overseas aid by 2007, but it reneged on this vow last year and apparently wants to push the target date back to 2015.

Aid agencies, however, have been lobbying for a new target of 2010.