Restoring confidence in development aid

I AGREE wholeheartedly with Fergus Finlay’s contention (June 7) that we should not be drawn into a discussion which places different groups of disadvantaged people in direct competition with one another for assistance, as appeared to be the case in recent television and radio debates where the plight of Irish carers was contrasted with the almost €700 million the Government spends annually on overseas development assistance.

In all but one respect the two issues are entirely separate.

A measure of commonality is to be found only in the shortcomings of the management and structures of both, something Fergus Finlay alluded to in respect of our health system.

Overseas aid and drastic reductions in health services have become conflated in the public mind because people cannot understand why carers and others are suffering extensive cutbacks at home while aid continues to be channelled through proven corrupt and brutal governments in the developing world.

This stems from a failure in the distribution mechanisms of aid, not from any diminution in the Irish people’s generosity or humanitarian instincts.

If the Government were to introduce the necessary safeguards — such as the independent commission on aid recently put in place by its UK counterpart — this would restore public confidence.

John O’Shea

GOAL

Co Dublin