O'Donnell afraid Ireland won't reach aid target

Former overseas development minister Liz O'Donnell today expressed concern about the Government reaching its overseas aid commitments for the next seven years.

The Taoiseach announced last week that Ireland hopes to give 0.7% of our national wealth by 2012.

The PD Deputy told the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee she feared a slippage in aid contributions the year after next.

Ms O'Donnell said: "I think that having made the commitment twice to the international community it would be absolutely reprehensible if we allowed slippage to occur after 2007."