IRISH CHARITIES and Dóchas, the umbrella group for development non-governmental organisations, have expressed disappointment at the absence of Taoiseach Brian Cowen at the UN Millennium Development Goals summit in New York.
Some 140 world leaders are meeting today and tomorrow to discuss progress on the eight goals agreed by 192 countries 10 years ago.
The goals – which include the eradication of extreme hunger and the achievement of universal primary education – aim to halve the proportion of people living on less than $1 a day by 2015. They set out targets in areas including mother and child health, education, the role and status of women and sustainable development.
A Dóchas statement said the non-attendance of the Taoiseach at the summit had resulted in the loss of Ireland’s speaking slot yesterday.
A Government spokesman confirmed Mr Cowen would not be at the summit, but said both Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin and Minister of State for Overseas Development Peter Power were there.
“The Taoiseach decided some weeks ago that due to a range of commitments, he would not be attending the United Nations on this occasion. The Taoiseach is confident that Ireland’s strong track record and commitment in this area will be ably represented and pursued by the two Ministers, on behalf of the Government.”
Jim Clarken, chief executive of Oxfam Ireland, said the charity, too, was “disappointed that An Taoiseach has decided not to attend this crucial meeting of world leaders . . .
“However, what is important now is that Ireland again shows the leadership that it has shown in the past in relation to global poverty and that it uses this opportunity to recommit to its promise to deliver 0.7 per cent of national income by 2015 and puts a clear plan and legislation in guarantee this.”
Gorta chief executive Brian Hanratty said Mr Cowen’s absence was a “disappointment”.
He called on the Government to use the summit to advocate food security as a right rather than an aspiration.
