Sir, - On behalf of one of "the other agencies" referred to by Norman Craig (June 15th), I wish to appeal for a balanced, mature discourse on overseas aid. Christian Aid Ireland is one of a number of NGOs that works in partnership with the Government. Over the years, this partnership has enabled us to support a variety of relief, rehabilitation and human rights programmes. In addition, our annual block grant has been allocated to long-term development programmes that target some of the poorest communities in the world.Our approach focuses on supporting grassroots and other civil society factors in developing countries as they struggle against enormous odds to lead their own development agendas. We believe that this work at grassroots levels is essential. However, we also believe that it must be carried out in tandem with and in the context of efforts at national level.The work that Ireland Aid does with the governments of its priority countries is therefore extremely important and deserves not to be dismissed as the bolstering of corrupt regimes. The issues that we as aid agencies confront are far too complex to be addressed with anything other than rigorous, informed debate and a willingness to admit that none of us has a monopoly on expertise. Otherwise we do a great disservice to the very people whose interests we claim to serve. - Yours, etc.,Niamh Carty, Programme Funding Manager, Christian Aid Ireland, Rathgar, Dublin 6.