Madam, - The US sociologist Robert Putnam is much admired by the Taoiseach. Mr Ahern, we are told, has read his latest book, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, twice.
Putnam has pointed out that mutual trust between people is the currency of "social capital". This is what generates the vital civility and conviviality that we hold dear in Ireland and is so admired by outsiders. Yet we are also aware that self-centredness is a growing threat to Irish society. It is, therefore, especially important that the Government and other leading institutions promote trust - and therefore vital social capital.
Breaking solemn Government promises does the opposite.
So, in addition to the poor overseas who are losing out following the Taoiseach's breaking of his promise on foreing aid, we in Ireland are also the poorer. - Yours, etc.,
Dr BRIAN SCOTT, Chief Executive, Oxfam Ireland, Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.
Madam, - Like so many people in this country, I was delighted when An Taoiseach announced at the UN the Government's commitment to giving up 0.7 per cent of Ireland's GNP to overseas aid. My delight, however, was tempered with an undercurrent of cynicism, which told me that holding my breath while waiting for it to happen was probably not the route to a long and happy life.
More importantly, waiting patiently for action was going to do little or nothing to help those millions in the world so very much less advantaged in life than me.
This led to the realisation that we do not always need governments to do that which we, as ordinary citizens, can and should also be doing at an individual level. I therefore made arrangements with my bank, for roughly one full per cent of my salary to be donated, via monthly standing order, to one of Ireland's main overseas aid NGOs. Frankly, I barely notice the absence of this 1 per cent of income; whereas I know from my own direct observations in recent years, mainly in Africa and Asia, that the same money can make an immeasurable difference to the recipients of such assistance.
To make the action even sweeter, each year I receive from this beneficiary NGO a form for my signature which, when returned, allows them to also reclaim the income tax that I would otherwise have donated (less cheerfully) to the Government through my PRSI.
Clearly the Government has access to far greater funds than we as individuals do, and 0.7 per cent of Ireland's GNP donated on our collective behalf would go that much further towards helping correct the global imbalance between rich and poor. In the meantime, though, if even 100 of your readers were to commit 0.7 per cent of their own personal incomes to the developing world, on a continuing basis, this would be a wonderful start and would make a particularly fine gesture with Christmas coming up. - Yours, etc.,
DARIUS BARTLETT, Midleton, Co Cork.
Madam, - I am an octogenarian, with a non-contributory State pension. I am very upset that the Government has stated that it will not meet the promised target of 0.7 per cent of GNP on overseas aid by 2007. On the basis that the shortfall for next year is €120 million and the Irish population is 4 million, I have today sent the the Taoiseach a cheque for €30 as my share of the shortfall, hoping that he will use this week's Budget to make good the overall shortfall. - Yours, etc.,
Mrs ELIZABETH MOORE, Killucan, Co Westmeath.