Ireland has had an admirable record of involvement in the developing world, largely through the generosity of individual citizens. For years, though, this record had one blemish - the niggardly Government contribution to this effort. Year after year, this State languished at the bottom of the league table of donors published by the OECD's Development Assistance Committee (DAC).
It comes as welcome news, therefore, that this year's DAC report shows that Irish aid spending is now above the OECD average. In 1995, Ireland spent; 0.29 per cent of gross national product on aid, compared to an OECD average of 0.27 per cent. Since last year, aid spending was further increased to 0.31 per cent, Ireland will probably rate about mid table in the next DAC report, though the UN target of 0.7 per cent of GNP is looking increasingly unattainable.
The commitment by Fianna Fail to continue increasing overseas development aid if it is returned to government is also welcome. For the first time, it seems as though the Irish aid programme is assured for the foreseeable future, regardless of which party is in government. Previously, aid was seen as an easy target by governments anxious to make spending cuts. In future, the specific commitments made by the major parties will be harder to slip out of.
Since 1991, Irish aid has trebled in value, to £122 million. But this growth raises new questions of accountability. Is this money being well spent? Is it being spent on those for whom it is intended, the poor in the developing world? How effective is it? In this context, it is interesting to note that while the Government is increasing its contribution, aid spending by other western governments is plummeting. According to the latest OECD report, development aid is at its lowest level, expressed as a proportion of GNP, for almost 40 years. The biggest drop is in the contribution from the United States, but it is true that governments almost everywhere are pulling in their horns.
Undoubtedly, there is an element of selfishness involved here. But this trend is also a response to the perceived failure of many development projects and the inability of many developing countries to reform themselves so that all the population benefits from aid and not just a privileged elite. There are lessons here for Irish aid, small though it is by international standards. Projects must be independently monitored and evaluated. The taxpayers should be told more about where their money is being spent and what it is achieving. Aid should be linked more closely to social and human rights factors.
Increasingly, Irish aid is being channelled through the EU. Will this lead to a loss of accountability in its disbursement? As Irish aid policies become more closely aligned to those of the EU, will Ireland's traditional image of neutrality disappear? And as the aid agencies become more reliant on government funds, can they truly continue to be regarded as independent non governmental organisations?