Taoiseach launches first ever white paper on aid
The Taoiseach this afternoon launched the Government's first ever white paper on aid to developing countries.
It will see Ireland spending €1.5bn on its aid programme annually by 2012.
2012 is when this country will finally reach its long-promised target of spending of 0.7% of GNP in oversees aid
Launching the new plan in front of hundreds of government officials, NGO representatives and diplomats, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the aid programme was a practical expression of Irish values in the 21st Century.
He said it represented our obligations to humanity.
The plan received a broad welcome from the Irish aid community.
