Overseas aid hit by the cruellest cuts of all

THE cruellest cuts of all have been to the overseas development assistance budget.

If the Taoiseach and finance minister take the advice of An Bord Snip Nua and implement further cuts they will be severing a lifeline, literally, to the world’s poor.

In 2000, this country made a solemn and binding commitment to achieve the UN target of spending 0.7% of GNP on overseas assistance. During the boom years, even though we never achieved this target, we had on overseas aid programme we could be proud of.

As soon as the good times ended, however, the hollowness of these promises became evident and the cutting shears were brought to bear – this year alone the aid budget has been cut by more than 21%, far more than any other sector.

I urge Messrs Cowen and Lenihan to ignore the Bord Snip advice. The world’s poor are already reeling from the effects of climate change, rising food prices and a myriad other issues. To withdraw the helping hand now will send many of them over the edge.

David Dalton

Plan Ireland

Baggot Street Lower

Dublin 2