Sir, – George Parsons(Letters, January 26th) claims that it is time for Ireland to grow up and give something back to the world. He fails to acknowledge that Ireland, with a strong reputation as a principled, and neutral donor in humanitarian crises, does give back where it matters most.
Drastic aid cuts from donor countries have had deadly consequences: health centres have closed, food rations have been suspended, nutrition outreach has halted, protection services ceased, water deliveries have ended, and shelters have gone unrepaired.
In contrast, Ireland is one of the few countries that has increased international aid.
Despite these turbulent and chaotic times, we live in a country that still believes in the moral “responsibility” of international co-operation, that believes in the power of partnership, of people coming together for positive change.
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It is a country that believes that nothing is inevitable or impossible and that, with political will, wars can be stopped, hunger can be eradicated, and that the technology, resources and know-how exist to make the world a better and more peaceful place.
That is nothing to be embarrassed about. – Yours, etc,
DOMINIC MacSORLEY,
Humanitarian ambassador,
Concern Worldwide,
Dublin 2.
Sir, – In response to George Parsons’s letter “It is becoming increasingly embarrassing to be Irish,” and his assertion that “Surely it’s time for us to grow up and give something back to the world.”
May I respectfully point out to George that Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) is now at a record high of over €840 million, marking a €30 million increase from 2025.
This is to say nothing of the fact that Ireland has also been for some time (since 2014) a net contributor to the EU budget. Indeed, as far back as 2020 the net contribution was approximately €101 per person.
Give something back, George says. We already do, and then some. The quality of our giving should not be judged by our military alliances alone. – Yours, etc,
DAVID MULLINS.
Arklow,
Co Wicklow
Sir, – It is definitely becoming increasingly embarrassing to be Irish (Letters, 26th January). Instead of standing up to the bullies of the world, the State mouths comforting platitudes while doing nothing effective about Israeli aggression in Palestine, US military use of Shannon, or indeed advancing the proud record of Irish neutrality to work for peace in the world, instead backing EU militarism and great power ambitions. Certainly, the lack of adequate green/climate change measures is self-destructive. We should hang our heads in shame. – Yours, etc,
ROB FAIRMICHAEL,
Editor, Nonviolent News
Coordinator, INNATE
Belfast,
Co Antrim.
