GOAL expresses concerns about new disaster response corps

The aid agency GOAL is seeking a meeting with Minster for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern to discuss concerns about the new Rapid Response Corps launched by the Government yesterday.

The body aims to recruit a team of Irish specialists that can be deployed at short notice to help UN agencies respond to humanitarian emergencies.

GOAL, however, claims it will see the Government acting as a recruitment vehicle for the UN and competing with Irish agencies for the services of a small pool of experienced Irish aid workers.

It wants the Government to provide the same service to Irish agencies that it will be providing to the UN.