OVERSEAS AID BUDGET:IRISH AID agencies have called on Opposition parties to urge the Government to refrain from cutting overseas aid in next week's budget.

There are fears within the development sector that the overseas development assistance (ODA) programme could suffer a major cut on Tuesday.

The ODA budget has been cut three times since June last year.

The first cut of €45 million was followed by another €15 million in October, and a further €95 million two months ago.

Speaking at the Oireachtas Sub-committee on Overseas Development, representatives of leading aid agencies called on all political parties to show that Ireland has not turned its back on the pledges it made to the world’s poorest.

“The Government could find €7 billion to assist a reckless banking sector, and is now seriously considering making the world’s poorest people pay the bill,” said Hans Zomer, director of Dóchas, the umbrella group that represents almost 40 aid agencies in Ireland.

In their presentations to the committee, Tom Arnold of Concern and Jim Clarken from Oxfam Ireland explained in detail how the aid cuts have adversely affected their work on the ground.

“If we stop funding these programmes people will die,” said Mr Clarken.

Labour spokesman for foreign affairs Michael D Higgins said Ireland’s credibility as a leading aid donor was on the line.

“We have made a commitment internationally that we should stick to,” Mr Higgins told the committee.