Madam, - Yesterday's (Nov 13th) opinion piece by John O'Shea is a simplistic response to a very complicated situation in Ethiopia .
Yes, the Irish Government continues to channel aid into Ethiopia (including Mr O'Shea's organisation, Goal, which does a tremendous job in that country - a subject on which he is strangely silent).
But the money is as well spent as it is in any other developing world country.
That the Ethiopian government is struggling with democracy is not in doubt. There are political questions to be answered. The Ethiopian government is also trying to modernise and provide for the future of its people.
Irish Aid experts and NGOs working on the ground say the government is doing its best in difficult circumstances - it is really trying to do the right thing.
The report of the independent commission into the elections of 2005 in Ethiopia was sent to me, and other interested parties, by the Ethiopian ambassador on November 2nd - hardly an act of suppression as Mr O'Shea claims in his article.
Our continued support for Ethiopia is not something to be trifled with. The withdrawal of support by western governments will inevitably lead to anarchy and chaos - at least being involved and continuing to support so much of the good work that goes on there provides hope for the future. - Yours, etc,
BRODY SWEENEY, Co-Founder, Connect Ethiopia, South William Street, Dublin 2. Ireland