john-connor
November 5th, 2012, 05:19 AM
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/fg-td-urges-cut-in-639m-aid-budget-3282239.html A GOVERNMENT backbencher has called for a cut in the €639m Irish aid budget in the wake of the "missing money" scandal in Uganda.
Fine Gael TD Patrick O'Donovan said there had to be a way of doing more with less -- particularly after concerns emerged about the disappearance of €4m in funds given to the Ugandan government.
"I don't think we should shut down the aid budget but it should be rationalised and there should be savings," he said.
Junior Minister for Overseas Aid Joe Costello said there had already been a 30pc cut over recent years.
He said that all the money was going to countries where people were still dying of hunger.
"One billion people are going to bed hungry every day and millions of children are dying because of inadequate food and nutrition.
"All of the money that Ireland spends is very much focused on the greatest areas of poverty," he said.
- Michael Brennan
Fine Gael TD Patrick O'Donovan said there had to be a way of doing more with less -- particularly after concerns emerged about the disappearance of €4m in funds given to the Ugandan government.
"I don't think we should shut down the aid budget but it should be rationalised and there should be savings," he said.
Junior Minister for Overseas Aid Joe Costello said there had already been a 30pc cut over recent years.
He said that all the money was going to countries where people were still dying of hunger.
"One billion people are going to bed hungry every day and millions of children are dying because of inadequate food and nutrition.
"All of the money that Ireland spends is very much focused on the greatest areas of poverty," he said.
- Michael Brennan