Aid agency Trócaire has called on the Government to play its part in halting world poverty by keeping its promise to increase overseas aid spending.
The agency will present 10,000 signed post cards to the Taoiseach today urging that a new date be set for Ireland to reach the UN target of 0.7 per cent of GNP committed to aid.
"In 2000, Ireland committed to this level of spending by 2007. The Government reneged on this promise last December, and now indications are that a date of 2015 will be announced – a delay of eight years," Trócaire said.
"The public has asked An Taoiseach to set a new deadline of no later than 2010 for reaching the target and to set out a year-by-year plan for meeting it, including increased aid in 2006 and 2007."
Trócaire director Justin Kilcullen said the agency was delighted with the public display of support from those who have signed the cards.
"The Irish public is aware of the campaign and feels strongly enough about it to put pressure on the government and its politicians. Ireland can be a major part of the solution to global poverty by showing leadership at national, European and global level," he said.
"The Government can get aid back on track by setting new, credible and realistic dates for reaching the UN’s target of spending 0.7 per cent of GNP on aid. A child dies from extreme poverty every three seconds," Mr Kilcullen added.