Sir, - I have noticed that our Taoiseach has generously availed of photo opportunities provided through modest Irish aid projects during his recent trip through Southern Africa. According to Mark Brennock's report (The Irish Times, January 15th), Mr. Ahern has been deeply impressed by the beneficial way in which Irish taxpayers' money is being spent in that region.
Am I foolish to hope, therefore, following last year's aid freeze, that the Taoiseach can persuade his Cabinet colleagues, particularly Mr McCreevy, to provide substantial increases in the Irish aid allocation so that we can, at long last, make serious strides towards honouring our promise to increase overseas aid to the long-standing United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of Gross National Product? This would be welcomed by at least 70 per cent of Irish people interviewed in the recent Development Education For Youth survey on development aid. (The Irish Times, January 14th). - Yours, etc.,
Colm Roddy, Bayside Walk, Dublin 13.