Launching Labour campaign, Higgins insists gov must honour ODA pledge
Issued : Thursday 9 December, 2004
Labour Party President and Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Micheal D. Higgins has said the Government has tarnished Ireland’s international reputation as a generous donor to the Third World by rowing back on its commitment to spend 0.7% of GNP on Overseas Development Aid by 2007.
He was speaking in Dublin today at the launch of a Labour Party postcard campaign calling on the Government to honour its commitment on Overseas Development Aid which was made by the Taoiseach before world leaders at the Millennium Summit in 2000.
“Ireland was held up as an example to others when the Taoiseach stated unequivocally that we would reach the UN target of 0.7% on ODA by 2007. Our commitment was particularly appreciated in continents such as Africa, who so desperately need untied Aid and genuine assistance with their task of development.
“Now we will be remembered as the country that became too rich to keep its promise to the poorest of the world”, said Deputy Higgins.
“Every day 3,000 die from malaria. Three out of four are children. 1.5 million per year die from TB. 8 million are infected. Those are just some of the features towards which our commitment was addressed when it was given in September 2000. That commitment is now abandoned.
“This is a truly shameful decision by the Government. The very first swingeing cutback announced by the Government when they returned to office in 2002 was to slash €40m from the ODA budget. Now they are betraying the Third World and the dozens of countries which voted to support Ireland’s membership of the UN Security Council.
“Our campaign today, entitled ‘Let them know it’s Christmas?’ will seek to pressurise the Government into meeting its target spend on ODA. We will be distributing postcards which we will be asking people to send to the Taoiseach to call on him to increase spending on our overseas aid budget.
“Even now, the Government should remember that it was supported for membership of the Security Council of the United Nations by those who believed it would meet its commitment and would give a lead.
“We do not want to be remembered as the country that became too rich to meet its solemn commitment to the poorest of the poor in the world at a time of greatest need, when good example and leadership would suggest we do otherwise”, he concluded.
