Goal accused - Charity chief to resign

THE confidence once enjoyed by Irish charities may not be what it once was. 

The public’s faith in and generosity shown towards these organisations has been undermined by a new understanding about how resources are allocated by and within these agencies. In a country where Government has outsourced many vital services to the charity sector this is a significant and worrying development.

The news yesterday that Goal chief and former Fianna Fáil minister Barry Andrews is to step down on foot of an investigation by America’s foreign aid watchdog will not rebuild that confidence. Though there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Mr Andrews this is not the first time Goal has faced critical scrutiny.