We have reneged on pledge to the poor

CUTS in the overseas aid budget of almost 22% in the past four months represent an appalling dereliction of our national duty to the poor.

When Bertie Ahern made a solemn commitment to the UN that this country would meet the UN target of 0.7% of GDP to overseas aid by 2012, it was more than a personal promise – he was talking on behalf of the entire population of this country.

Just last autumn, Taoiseach Brian Cowen reiterated his predecessor’s sentiments when he told a meeting on the millennium development goals at the UN: “It is nothing short of scandalous that there are over 860 million hungry people in the world today. We do not need to make further pledges if we just deliver on what we have already promised.”