Sir, – It is hard to disagree with Ross McCarthy (October 10th) when he says "a safer, healthier and more prosperous world is better for all of us". However he produces no evidence to show that the maintenance or even an increase in Irish overseas aid will contribute to this objective. Over the past decade or so there has been significant economic growth in many developing countries, all of which has been caused by increased trade and investment. The old mantra "trade not aid" holds true. It is also true that the elimination or the much-reduced incidence of war in many of these countries has helped.
There is no reason why Ireland should continue to borrow over €600 million a year to waste on foreign aid projects. The funds would be better off used to finance much-needed spending on health or education services at home or indeed to reduce the fiscal deficit. If Irish people in general support foreign aid spending, they can continue to do it through the multitude of Irish and international charities. This is not to argue that Ireland should not allocate a small budget of say €100 million to contribute to short-term disaster and emergency relief programmes such as the current Ebola crisis. – Yours, etc,
OWEN BROOKS,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.