Oxfam Ireland reaction to Programme for Government

Oxfam Ireland Press Release
15 June 2007

A renewal of aid promise, but trade still a major problem

Oxfam Ireland today welcomed the new government's commitment to development in the programme for government but regretted that key guarantees on aid have not been provided as well as the continuation of damaging trade policies.

'The government's continued commitment to reaching the 0.7% aid target is to be welcomed, but an opportunity to copperfasten this with legislation has been missed while damaging trade policies are set to continue' said Colin Roche, Oxfam's Policy and Advocacy Coordinator.

On Aid: The programme for government reiterates the existing government commitment to achieving 0.7%, with additional reporting of annual targets. Oxfam welcomes the addition of annual reporting at budget time but regrets that legislation to copperfasten the commitment and the publication of clear annual targets for achieving 0.7% have been omitted.

On Trade and Development: Oxfam, welcomes the government commitment to purchasing Fairtrade goods. However, the programme for government is completely silent on the need for trade rules to support developing countries, instead of eroding their economic opportunities. Ireland's trade policies, including support for unfair trade deals with developing countries, are set to continue to undermine development and the livelihoods of people in the developing world.

On the Arms Trade: Oxfam welcomes the government's commitment to support an Arms Trade Treaty to tackle the global trade in arms. This treaty will be an important instrument in tackling a trade which leads to the death of one person every minute.

Darfur: Oxfam also welcomes the recognition of the need for a lasting, peaceful solution to the crisis.

Oxfam Ireland is an independent member of Oxfam International- a group of thirteen non-governmental agencies dedicated to fighting poverty and related injustice around the world.

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