Development aid - A duty, not an option

THOUGH times have changed utterly, most Irish people are amongst the most comfortable in the world.

We have first world poverty but no one lives under plastic sheeting or rusting sheets of corrugated iron. Some eat less well than they might wish but very, very few, if any, go hungry.

In this context, it is entirely appropriate that this country involve itself in reducing global poverty.

Yesterday, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) praised the State’s work in developing countries but it warned the Government against reneging on aid targets.

Ireland has spent €4 billion on overseas aid during the last six years, with financial assistance up 90% since the last OECD report in 2003. We can all be proud of this and Government should do all it can to sustain that level of support.

After all, it is more a duty than an option.