Bono should take his message closer to home

BONO recently tackled the Canadian prime minister, Paul Martin, for failing to live up to his foreign aid commitments.

The U2 frontman expressed his disappointment that Mr Martin had not kept an earlier promise to boost Canada's annual foreign aid contribution to 0.7% of GDP.

Bono even read out the phone number of the prime minister's office on CBC radio and urged listeners to flood his office with calls.

On this side of the Atlantic the Irish Government has already silently welched on its commitment of foreign aid equivalent to 0.7% of GDP by 2007.

Instead Conor Lenihan wants to talk about a so-called white paper on foreign aid but what use is a white paper to the people of Darfur?

Charity begins at home, Bono.

The forthcoming U2 concerts will offer a golden opportunity to exercise people power and force this Government to reverse its decision.

Cllr Naoise Ó Muirí

Halla na Cathrach

Baile Atha Cliath 2