Lenihan’s stance on aid agencies challenged

THE minister of state at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Conor Lenihan, in the recent debate on overseas development assistance, questioned international organisations spending money on advocacy.

We can only assume that he also would have difficulty with Irish charities working on domestic issues such as poverty, homelessness and disability investing in public information campaigns or striving to influence decision-makers.

As a communications specialist who has worked with many domestic and overseas agencies to advance their social justice agendas, I would strongly contest Minister Lenihan’s stance on advocacy.