Irish Aid
In 2000 the Irish Government pledged to increase overseas aid to reach the UN target of 0.7% of GNI. This target was not met, however, as overseas aid has been a casualty of the recession in Ireland and has been repeatedly cut in recent budgets. In addition, the date set by the Government to increase overseas aid to 0.7% of GNI in line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals has been shifted twice. In recent years there has been greater focus on increasing the effectiveness of Irish Aid, the Government of Ireland’s programme of assistance to developing countries. This is in line with an international approach of combining the focus on aid volumes with development outcomes. Irish Aid programmes are regularly audited and evaluated by independent evaluation and audit firms as well as by Irish Aid’s Evaluation and Audit Unit. These evaluations and audits provide assurance that funds are used for the purposes intended and have a particular focus on poverty outcomes and value for money. Reports are made available to the Comptroller and Auditor General.
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“The difference of the English and Irish character is nowhere more plainly discerned than in their respective kitchens. With the former, this apartment is probably the cleanest, and certainly the most orderly, in the house.... An Irish kitchen ... is usually a temple dedicated to the goddess of disorder; and, too often, joined with her, is the potent deity of dirt.”
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