Taxpayers need to know the true story on aid

IN his column headlined ‘Isn’t it time we got real about the cost of overseas development aid?’ (October 22), Matt Cooper gave voice to some widely-held public concerns regarding Irish overseas development aid.

It is wholly understandable and proper, particularly in a time of deep recession and severe belt-tightening at home, that journalists and citizens should raise questions about aid. After all, it is Irish taxpayers’ money that foots the bill, and there are serious questions that need answering.

In particular, Matt Cooper is correct to question the efficacy of continuing to channel aid through patently corrupt governments, despite what hard experience should have taught us.