Labour’s overseas aid record defended

I AM not surprised that Fianna Fáil’s Deputy Charlie O’Connor (Irish Examiner letters, December 13) is surprised and embarrassed by the Labour party campaign to highlight the decision of the Taoiseach to renege on the solemn commitment he made to the UN in September 2000 that, by 2007, Ireland would reach the UN Overseas Development Aid (ODA) target of 0.7% of GNP.

However, in his indignation he has actually let the cat out of the bag on just how far the Government is reneging on its commitments, when he confirms that our contribution next year will reach just 0.39% of GNP.

The Government says our contribution would be maintained at in or around the 0.41% achieved in 2001.