The Government has failed on its promise to put the cancellation of debt on the international agenda, campaigners claimed today.
The Debt and Development Coalition warned that the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, had lost the opportunity to tackle poverty around the world during his term as European Union President.
Ms Jean Somers, campaign co-ordinator with the Debt and Development Coalition
Campaign co-ordinator Ms Jean Somers said that despite the hype none of the poorest countries were
receiving total debt cancellation. "This is a scandal as it is well established that cancelling the debt is a very effective way of helping tackle poverty.
"We are disappointed that to date the Irish Government has not delivered on its promise to put debt on the agenda during its presidency of the EU."
The Taoiseach travelled to the United States for a summit meeting of the G8 Group of leading industrial nations in his role as EU president. Mr Ahern was attending the meeting as an observer but it is hoped the issue of Third World debt cancellation would be discussed by the leaders.