McKenna lashes Govt for failure on overseas aid
Issued: 04 May 2007
Statement by Patricia McKenna
– Famine commemoration should be a springboard for rapidly increased aid
Green Party candidate for Dublin Central Patricia McKenna said that Ireland had an opportunity to play a leadership role in the fight against the continuing scandal of hunger in the world. She said it was a disgrace that the world's poorest had to wait until 2015 for the Irish government to meet its UN commitment on overseas aid.
McKenna said: "Ireland's history of famine in the 19th century, coupled with our more recent experiences of poverty and emigration, give us legitimacy in providing leadership on foreign aid. But Fianna Fail and the PDs have proven themselves unable to provide that leadership. The last two governments have shamefully reneged on their aid commitments."
McKenna was commenting as the government announced today that it will recognise and fund a commemoration of Ireland's Great Famine.
"I am glad to hear that the government is recognising the commemoration of our own famine," she said, "And I congratulate those who worked for years on this issue. However, the commitment rings hollow when you look at the government's delay in meeting the UN target of 0.7% of GNI for overseas aid."
The Taoiseach told a UN summit in September 2005 that Ireland would meet its 0.7 per cent commitment by 2015.
"About 850 million people go to bed hungry every night – that's about 15 per cent of the world's population. Some 11 million children under five die each year from hunger and associated diseases. Hunger affects millions more both physically and mentally," McKenna continued. "Is it reasonable that we, as one of the wealthiest countries in the world, ask those millions to stay hungry until 2015?"