Cut in aid budget 'deplorable', says Oxfam Ireland

Overseas aid agency Oxfam Ireland has said it deplores today’s cut in Ireland's aid budget.

"Oxfam Ireland deplores today’s €100m cut in Ireland's aid budget and calls for an immediate reversal of this decision," said Oxfam Ireland chief executive Jim Clarken.

"With this cut, our Government's promise to the world’s poorest people rings hollow.

"This is the fourth cut in 10 months – demonstrating that the Irish Government sees the aid budget as a soft target. This cut will have a devastating impact on vulnerable people who are already struggling to cope with the crushing impacts of the global financial crisis, the food crisis and climate change.

"These are difficult times for us all, but it is not the time to abandon our commitment to tackling poverty and injustice. Ireland's international standing will be damaged even further by this decision to turn its back on the world’s poorest when they need our assistance most."