Taoiseach reaffirms commitment to Irish overseas aid

The Taoiseach has said that Ireland will continue to work towards meeting its overseas aid target of 0.7% of national wealth in 2008.

Mr Ahern added that climate change will dictate government policy at home and abroad in the coming year.

In his New Year's Day message Bertie Ahern has expressed deep concern at the continuing Darfur conflict and reaffirmed the commitment to send peace keeping troops to other parts of Africa.

The Taoiseach has also said he hoped there would be an international agreement reached in Dublin by May on banning the use of wartime cluster munitions