Sir, - As a former employee of Goal, I would like to make a few observations which seem to have been overlooked in the recent media reports.
Let us not forget the excellent work of the agency and the tireless fund-raising by John O'Shea and his team over the past 20 years. John O'Shea has been a major motivator of both overseas and local volunteers. He and many fund-raisers work tirelessly, including every Christmas Day (annual Goal run) - to keep the fate of developing countries in the public mind. (Many celebrities and politicians can testify to that!)
It is also important not to lose sight of so many successful projects that Goal has backed - among them the home for women and street children in India, run by Edith Wilkins; the excellently managed Rwandan refugee camps; and many other responses to emergencies in Africa over the years.
Monies donated to Goal are channelled to various projects for both emergency and development aid with minimal administrative costs. Apart from the public's money going where it is supposed to, it is also worth pointing out that John O'Shea is renowned for his great respect and admiration for anyone who has worked voluntarily in the field and he always endeavoured to put the safety of his personnel first.
A question of credit where credit is due! - Yours, etc., Danielle Duggan, Booterstown,
Co Dublin.