Irish Independent, 16th November 2009

BUDGET cuts to Ireland's foreign aid will result in a substantial number of deaths in poorer countries, GOAL spokesman John O'Shea warned last night.

Mr O'Shea made the claim as 27 politicians pleaded with the Government not to reduce foreign aid funding in the forthcoming Budget.

The TDs signed an open letter which read: "Withdrawing funding to well-established partners, programmes and beneficiaries is a short-sighted and inefficient means of protecting a substantial investment over the course of Irish aid's existence."

Mr O'Shea said: "We welcome the intervention by politicians . . . It is a timely and important move."

© 2009 The Irish Independent