EU DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE: Billions, not millions, were required to solve the structural problems at the root of disease and poverty in Africa, according to Bono of U2.
Speaking prior to a working lunch with EU development ministers in Dublin Castle yesterday, he declared his intention to "put my hand in their wallet" to ensure their governments allocated the recommended UN level of 0.7 per cent of Gross National Product (GNP) for official development assistance.
"You can't make promises and not keep them. We promised here in Ireland to commit 0.7 per cent of our national income to dealing with the poorest of the poor. I don't think it's too much, it's less than 1 per cent, and I'm very proud that Ireland has committed to that. The Scandinavians, though, are the only people who have actually reached that 0.7 per cent," he said.
"The Government here are serious about getting there, we are just trying to hurry them along. But there are some laggards hanging out here and I'm just going to put my hand in their wallet. There is a feeling in some camps that, because they are doing well - believe it or not - therefore their economies can't afford a commitment to the 0.7 per cent, i.e., it is going to be more money than they thought when they agreed to 0.7. This is renegotiating your deal with God downwards, after being blessed."
He rejected reports of a possible Live Aid II concert, saying: "What we are discussing in here is billions, not millions."
He did not want to see pictures of famine in Africa again and, if plans being discussed by the EU were implemented, we would not have to do so.
"The continent of Africa is bursting into flames right now. A lot of the great work that European development assistance has provided over the years is being destroyed by a virus, and it is going to take real commitment and real money to rebuild that continent. For me, it's not really about charity at this point, it's about justice and standing with your African brothers and sisters, if you really think they are, and not just throwing pennies, but dealing with the structural problems," the U2 singer added.
The informal EU meeting was chaired by the Minister of State for development cooperation, Mr Tom Kitt, who told a press conference afterwards that Ireland's official development assistance now stood at 0.41 per cent of GNP or about €480 million a year. "We have a commitment in the Programme for Government to reach 0.7 per cent by 2007," he said. "The Programme for Government is very specific on this and certainly, as far as I am concerned, that commitment is there, to reach that figure.
"These are issues to be decided by Cabinet and certainly I will be fighting vigorously to achieve that, because it is an important part of the Irish credibility that we have internationally. You will be aware, when Ireland were seeking a seat on the [UN\] Security Council, it was certainly an issue that was taken into account by many developing countries who supported us on that basis."
The European commissioner for development and humanitarian aid, Mr Poul Nielson, said the new Spanish government had committed itself to reaching the 0.7 per cent target by 2012. If current progress was maintained, the EU collective average by the end of 2006 would probably be 0.41 per cent. Paying tribute to Ireland's European presidency, he said: "It has been not only efficient but also pleasant and I think that's a nice combination."