| Letter to the Editor, Irish Times, 11th
February 2009
Madam,
The Government's decision significantly to reduce the overseas
aid budget for the current year is a worrying development.
Even more important than the size of the cut (EUR95 million), is
the fact that our Government, which has often boasted about its
commitment to the poorest on the planet, intends reneging on a sacred
promise.
The present economic downturn is causing havoc across virtually
every sector of Irish life. This, presumably, has led the Government
to feel entitled to ask the poor and vulnerable of the third world
to take further punishment. One can at least understand the motivation,
while profoundly disagreeing with it.
My colleagues and I in Goal appeal to the Government not to reduce
the emergency budget by a single euro. Rather, the EUR95 million
saving should be found in areas where the reduction would have no
impact on those who need our help most.
In the year ahead, the poorest nations will again be visited by
natural disasters; that much is certain. Certain too, given the
severity of the global downturn, is that the response of the international
community to the plight of the stricken will be greatly reduced.
It is imperative that the Irish Government retains sufficient funds
to be made available in the event of future human catastrophes to
Irish NGOs, which have a proven record of achieving results. –
Yours, etc,
JOHN O'SHEA, CEO, Goal, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
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