Ireland should lead a new world brigade

OXFAM’S campaigns and advocacy executive Colin Roche is right to note that Ireland could show real leadership in fighting poverty and assisting those most in need (‘Government’s disaster donation proves Ireland can lead by example,’ Irish Examiner letters, October 24).

But money alone is not the answer. Contributing to the UN’s central emergency response fund to finance future crises falls far short of what is required.

Firstly, what we really need is a world brigade that could rush into any beleaguered area even at a moment’s notice.

The purpose is to provide a robust and credible high readiness capability, which is fully trained and able to deploy quickly to participate in the full spectrum of crisis missions wherever required. For Ireland to lead by example, the Government should spearhead the initiative by designating a section of the Irish army to go to a country, without uniform, in response to a crisis. By developing civilian crisis management, Ireland would demonstrate that it takes the plight of the poor and vulnerable seriously, and this would show real leadership.

Secondly, in the wake of the oil-for-food scandal, the onus is on the UN to show that it can manage such a fund without corruption.

John O’Shea

GOAL

PO Box 19

Dún Laoghaire

Co Dublin