Overseas aid - Government must keep UN promise

The empty promise made four years ago by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern before world leaders to meet United Nations overseas aid targets by 2007, has come back, once more, to deeply embarrass the Government and the country.

He had pledged to donate 0.7% of GDP in development aid, but that was abandoned last year when the book of estimates was announced.

Yesterday, Ireland’s empty promise was criticised at the launch in London of the Commission for Africa, a venture which was largely initiated by British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Ireland’s reason for failing to live up to the pledge, that Africa did not have “the absorbative capacity for increased aid” was branded as a disgrace and a “flag-waving excuse for doing nothing”.

The embarrassing criticism, on a world stage, came from commission members Bob Geldof and UN Under-Secretary General Dr Anna Tibaijuka.

When the Taoiseach made the promise to the UN, Ireland was actively lobbying for a seat on the Security Council, and was successful, mostly due to support from African states.

Having secured it, UN targets for overseas development aid were abandoned by the Government through cynical political expediency.

Apart from the embarrassment, there is a moral obligation on this country as one of the wealthiest in Europe, to contribute its just and fair share to countries overseas which are in dire need.

The Irish people have an unrivalled reputation for giving generously to deserving causes, and the Government must, as a matter of honour and humanity restate its intention to abide by the promise given to the UN.