Clare Herbert

This week, I’ve been posting a series of extracts from the blog I wrote while in DC as part of the Washington Ireland Program for Service and Leadership in 2007.

Today, I’ve got a re-cap of our “Elephant in the room” conversation. The Washington Ireland Program was established to bring together young leaders from both sides of the political divide in Northern Ireland, hoping to inculcate peace and reconciliation.  Traditionally each year, the interns arrange an evening to discuss the Northern Ireland troubles and their views on the future. This is an account of our discussion.

(From 4/7/08)

Last night was for me, without doubt, the best night here. Weirdly I guess, given the simplicity of the evening and the endlessly wonderful array of events we’re treated to.

JC Jnr arranged for us interns to gather and discuss how we feel about Ireland, Northern Ireland and everything in between. It was definitely the elephant in the room, since this group was formed back in Belfast months ago now. In every casual conversation, group discussions and debates, it was there- the topic we avoided. We couldn’t avoid it any longer.

So, last night we got pitzas, hired the board room and just talked it out. Everyone gave a three-minute contribution of their views, background and position. The tension in the room was palpable. The emotion evident in people’s voices and faces. Every word was respected, but it’s such an emotional topic to discuss particularly in front of a group. The usually rowdy gang of us, sat in respectful silence as people shared stories, hopes and fears. It was powerful, moving stuff.

There was no controversy for it’s own sake, just pure opinions that differed immensely. Chatting to a fellow WIPer afterwards, we said that it was a pity that the whole of Ireland hadn’t seen what had just happened. We got to the root of the issue. Behind the overly-optimistic press reports that the war is over. Behind the academic doctrines and historical analysis of who was right, when and why. Behind the propaganda and rhetoric of conflict used by both sides. It was simple.

A gang of young people who drink together and work together talking about the single greatest challenge their country has ever faced and how it has impacted their lives.

I’m a news junkie. I follow these things intently. But last night was the first time I felt that I truly understood it. I learned a lot. I learned just how wide the divide is and how long it will persist. I learned that peace is not a place in history, but a process and I grew to appreciate the fragility of that peace. The old questions arose. That of a United Ireland, that of mixed identities, the labels of terrorism, that those in power can re-write the history books, can change the rules. That both sides have had to swallow a lot. Not only the political figure heads, but the people of Northern Ireland – the people who just want decent schools and hospitals and a safe place to lay their head at night. I saw how hard it is to live in a power-sharing arrangement and have someone you so passionately disagree with make decisions in your name and with your taxes. I realize that compromise is the only answer. But that fact does not negate how difficult it is to achieve it, on an emotional level as much as any other.

So, thanks to my fellow WIPers for last night. I’m just sorry that the rest of the world didn’t see the magic in that room. It was a necessary chat and I think, we’re stronger as a team for having done it.

(Required viewing for women)
Dossing around the internet the other day, I came across this. It should be required viewing for anyone who has a drawer full of lotions and potions that they routinely slather on themselves in the hope of becoming gorgeous. Read: all women.

To re-cap:

• Babies are being born pre-polluted thanks to the beauty products we use.
• We’re damaging the planet, communities and ourselves because of the cosmetics we use.
• The chemicals in our ‘beauty’ products are known carcinogens (cancer-causers), as well as being linked to learning disabilities, athsma and reproductive problems.
• The average US woman uses 12 products daily, with about 12 dangerous ingredients each. Men use 6.
• Herbal Essences contains toxic petro chemicals derived from oil. (I always thought it smelt dodge.)
• In the US, anyone can put anything in a bottle and sell it and only 20% of chemicals have been tested. In the US just 8 out of 12,000 chemicals have been banned, since 1928.  They don’t even list all the products on the bottle. (I’ve found it very difficult to find information on where the EU stands on this. But the net point remains the same: consumers need to be very conscious of what they are putting on their bodies.)
• Ester Lauder donates a portion of their profits to fighting cancer. However, they are selling products with chemicals that cause cancer.
• It’s thought that small amounts of these chemicals don’t cause too much damage. Yet, we use them liberally everyday. We use a dangerous cocktail of products, not just one. Also, people who work in the beauty industry get dosed with them daily.

So, ladies and gents, let’s reduce the amount of cosmetics we use. Let’s try to make our own at home. It’s not crazy.  Look here. I’ll post some of my favourite home-made beauty recipies soon too. For more info, click here.

UPDATE: If you want to find out the relative toxicity of the products in your bathroom cabinet, check out the Cosmetics Database.

Throughout this week, I’ve been posting  series of extracts from the blog I wrote while in there as part of the Washington Ireland Program for Service and Leadership.  If you’re interested, you can read my full blog here.

(from June 25, 2008)

My first day:

I arrived painfully early. We were advised not to be too early and look like a big freak stalking the office, a half hour before it opens. That was me! So, dress code one, sweating like a pig, and shaking in my boots with nerves, I arrived early, met my supervisor and began the orientation process. I undertook a Scavenger Hunt of Capitol Hill (which was a strange experience), in order to find the places that I’d need to complete the placement. Part of the agreement I made with my employers is that I maintain a high level of confidentiality relating to all the events, policies and discussions of the office. I do a large proportion of administrative work, as well as dealing with constituent queries, giving tours of Capitol Hill, attending hearings on the hill and assisting the legislative staff. I’m still in complete awe that I get to go sit in the staff gallery of the Senate, although it’s frequently a fine line between awe and feeling completely overwhelmed. I’m a young graduate from the bogs of Kildare and I get to sit in the Senate Gallery? How mad is that!

(Image: That’s me in the Senate Press Briefing room.)

(From July 02, 2008)

A Typical Day’s Work:

I’d like to remind you all of the perils that come with interning. It’s hard work, being on the bottom rung of the office food chain. As soon as one has progressed beyond it, people forget what it’s like. I’ll never forget. At least I hope not. The Senate is an amazing place. It’s alive with tourists at the moment and I’ve begun to give tours on my own which is equal parts exhilarating and exhausting. I’m terrified of getting lost on one of the million windy corridors or in the basement with a gaggle of Americans who thought my accent was cute for all of 5 seconds and then just couldn’t understand me anymore. So far so good, though. The Hill in summer is literally crawling with interns. There are thousands of them, all of them eager to get ahead and determined to work hard. My first week, there was an ice-cream social for interns on the outside Capitol Hill. It was like a weirdly post festival-esque. Hundreds of young ‘uns in business suits, eating (free!) ice cream and gleeful at being out in the open air. I did Congressional Research Service (CRS) training last week too. I was lucky to get the chance to do it so early in my placement and it has already proved useful to me when drafting memos and remarks for Staffers. Plus, it’s a great thing to stick on the CV. Throughout the summer, there is an Intern Lecture Series which takes place on Capitol Hill. The have some really interesting speakers: elected representatives, academics, media people and others who’ve been successful in their respective fields. I went to my talk given by Senator Isakson, a Southern Republican, which was a useful insight into another side of US politics. Everyday, there are a series of committee hearings and other discussions, debates or talks given by interested parties taking place on Capitol Hill. It’s an endless source of frustration to me that they’re all scheduled together, but I have gotten the opportunity to see several really interesting topics discussed.

My work is primarily in the Foreign Affairs area, so I’ve attended some really interesting topics. These are open to the public and the press are welcome, so I can share a little about them here. There was one fascinating one about the contractors employed by the US government to work on water provision in Iraq. The company were less than exemplary, and both evaded tax and exposed their workers, the US Military and Iraqi Civilians to Hexovalent Chromium. This was the chemical on which the Oscar-winning movie “Erin Brockovich” was based, and the story was remarkably similar. There were 3 witnesses before the hearing- two whistle-blowers (a worker at the plant and an inspector responsible for health and safety) and a chemical expert, who also testified at the real life Erin Brockovich case. It was a fascinating hearing and one which showed how like life the movies really are. I was at another about Afghanistan, which was really interesting. Exposing the links between the narcotics trade and Afghani society, the position of the US Military and the undying hope of the Afghani people that they will soon achieve a stable and peaceful society. Everything works around the timetable of whatever is happening on the Senate floor though. Senators often have to leave either talks or hearings to go and vote on the floor- they only have 15 minutes to vote, and their constituents are watching to see who bothers to show up. It’s exciting to be here.

Throughout this week, I’ve been posting a series of extracts from the blog I wrote while in there as part of the Washington Ireland Program for Service and Leadership.  If you’re interested, you can read my full blog here.

(From July 02, 2008)

This weekend marks the mid-way point of my time in DC. It’s strange, and says a lot about this program, that this is the first time I’m both ready to write reflectively and have the time to do it. Prior to departure, I got advice from previous interns. Enjoy it, they said. Soak it up. I certainly don’t feel that the last few weeks have passed in a blur. This blog has been a major part of my structure to record the daily wonders and the comments I’ve gotten from readers have reminded me that not everyone is so lucky. It’s been an amazing, fun-filled and eye-opening time of my life. It is exhausting though- without a doubt. There is a lot to see, do and absorb. Lots of new people. Lots of new places. Lots of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, all coming in quick succession and relatively easily to us. We’re told “White House, Dress Code 1” and we’re there. From our perspective, it’s that simple. The Management Team and Directors are working away behind the scenes, but to us our world in DC operates like a well oiled machine. I was warned not to grow to feel a sense of entitlement to such treatment, to take it for granted. That, I’m sure, has not happened to me.

Instead though, I struggle to know why I am here. There are days (many days!) in this fair city, when I really feel like I’ve no entitlement to be here. When I look at what the Washington Ireland Program is, it’s prestige, it’s alumni, it’s endless networks and ever-expanding success, I feel unworthy. I’m not trying to be modest or humble. I realize that I wasn’t picked (as some have thought, jokily I hope) to fulfill the quota of red heads. But, I’m still feeling the Linda Martin-esque “Why Me?” Sometimes, you get a bit lost in the logistics of day to day. I wake up and have a metro to catch. I work and there’s mail to sort. I attend WIPper events are there are people to network with and laughter to be had. There are other times that it hits me, like lightening, how fortunate I am to be here. How unique this opportunity is, and how far from home and my personal reality I am.

Despite the sweltering heat, the long days at the office, the endless sirens and security, the long schedules and the ever-present demands on my attention, I am so privileged to be here. I had a moment to remind me of that last week. I was having lunch on a bench outside the office. It had been a frustrating day, and I was not in my best humor- sitting there with my fruit salad and my Nuala O’Faolain book. A man asked to share my bench. We got talking- as Americans tend to. He worked for Bush and was en route to meet a crucial senator about a forthcoming piece of legislation. (Sorry for being so vague. Office confidentiality.) As I watched him walk away, I realized that I’d just met someone who shapes hundreds of millions of lives. Humbling.

I often think of those who were not lucky enough to get this chance this year -probably, because I still can’t believe that I’m not one of them. It’s a bit like being on Pop Idol and being split into groups, one who stay and fight for a top prize (presidency of the United States, perhaps?) and one who go home. It’s weird. As time passes though, I am learning a few things that make life easier.

• Eat well. American food is different. Firstly, the portion sizes are huge. Salads come with more sauce than substances, and EVERYTHING is big, big, big. It’s easy to (wrongly) think you’re eating well, so beware. Fruit may save you.
• Schedule sitting down. There’s nothing like a good sit down and a ponder. This is a fast-paced lifestyle and there is a demand a minute, if you let it happen. Don’t let sleeping be the only thing you do alone. Take time to notice how far you’ve come (in my case, a bog in the midlands!) and soak up the thrill that it alone can give you.
• Wear sunscreen. I don’t mean this as a reference to the over quoted song- I mean, literally. Sunscreen, by the bucket.
• Bring water. Freeze a bottle and it will keep the other ones cool. Trust me, you’ll drink buckets.
• Always carry a Metro Card. You’ll use it often.
• Remember tip and tax on restaurant bills.
• Look around you. There are always pretty things to see- you just gotta look. And you really never know who is going to be sitting next to you on the Metro- be alert. It’s a political celebrity town. Take advantage of the free stuff. There are endless free events, from Jazz concerts to most of the museums and galleries so plan ahead and see as much as possible.

Continuing in my series of ‘trip-down-memory-lane’ posts looking at my time in Washington DC as part of the Washington Ireland Program for Service and Leadership.

(From July 23, 2008)

I am at the stage of tired where everything looks like a bed. I’m not far from climbing into my computer and fall asleep on Microsoft word. And, I forget things and lose things and bump into things and stumble over all my words. I know it’s bad to close my eyes for a little second, but man, it just feels so good. My brain is chatting away to me endlessly and I cannot concentrate on a thing. Sign of a good weekend, perhaps?

Well, it was a great weekend. I was in New York City- my first time, and definitely not the last. I don’t trust my mind to be able to logically recall all that has happened over the last three days, so let me give you the highlights.

• Best Breakfast: We had bagels and OJ by Bethesda Fountain on Saturday morning. It’s fountain from Friends and “Enchanted”, and a very pretty fountain it was too.
• Greatest convenience and biggest fear (a joint award): Taxis are the mode of transport of choice in NYC. They’re very cheap, especially if there’s a group since there’s no surcharge. You do take your life in your hands in them though, and u gotta give a very precise address.
• The Real New Yorker moment: The Subway. The best way to see how New York lives is to literally walk in their footsteps. In the NYC context, this means taking the subway. It was cool, though scary. It is a prime target for terrorism after all, but I guess you can’t live like that. It’s less well kept than the DC equivalent and people were more rushed and rude.
• Cultural High Point: The Met (Art Museum) on Saturday. Myself, JC Jnr, the Fiona Buggy and Alan Ralph headed to the Met for a tour. We were very tired, in an altered state of exhaustion which only increased my opinions of the art work. There were conflicting views, as there always are in this group. I was disappointed with the modern art selection though, although it was probably all in the MOMA.
• Wettest Moment: That afternoon, the group met and took to “The Beast”. This motor boating experience brought us out to see the Statue of Liberty. We were getting a little splashed and squealing like girls at it. But then, the beast roared. The boat’s owner poured bucket upon bucket of icy water over us. I left the boat sapping.
• Oddest Moment: I was interested in seeing Ground Zero and I did, albeit from the comfort of a taxi. It really is just a huge building site. There was no place for emotion there, I found.
• Security Shock: I visited St Patrick’s cathedral too which was really beautiful. On the way into the church, there were security checking bags. Imagine getting frisked on the way to mass. The times we live in, I guess.
• Best Music: Singing on the bus!
• Best Shopping: Finally getting Reef flipflops in Macy’s, in the sale, and teaching the boys how to shop with women. I expect a thanks from your future wives.:)
• Most Educational Experience: Our Day at the UN. We were honoured to have a full day’s leadership training among several UN staffers. We began with a briefing from a member of the strategic planning unit in the office of the Secretary General, which was followed by contributions from UN Peacekeepers. As always, we were full of questions and they offered a valuable insight into the world of the UN. In the afternoon, we broke into smaller groups to examine the workings of more specific groupings within the UN. I was in the UN Development Program, which was fascinating.
• Nightlife High Point: NYC is the city that never sleeps, and I mean that quite literally. By the time people are heading home from a mad one, there are others getting up for work. During our brief three day stay in NYC, us WIPpers slept very little too. The highpoint is easy. WIP Alum Paddy invited us to his city centre apartment for a roof top party. The view was, in the original sense of the word, awe-inspiring.
• Brightest Moment: Post-night outs, we made a tradition of visiting Time Square to gawk at the bright lights. It’s a phenomenal place, but I couldn’t help but think of the energy wasted.
• Best Meal: Sunday evening, while I was still dripping from the Beast, though cozy and proud in an “I Love NY” hoodie, we went to the “Harbour Lights” restaurant at Pier 17. Irish owned, I was so glad to hear an Irish accent again.  The view was spectacular, of the BMW bridges and artistic man-made waterfalls and my salmon tasted delicious in the fresh, warm sea breeze.
• Overall Highlight: Brooklyn Bridge, in general. After dinner, we took a stroll along the Brooklyn bridge. I have never seen such a scale of beauty, between the lights, the warm air, the epic view and the excellent WIP company. Skyscrapers stacked like legos, the Statue of Liberty standing there serene and commanding, bridges strung like Christmas decorations. It brought out the real tourist in me. It has such scale that cannot be captured in a camera’s viewfinder. Despite the bustle of the city, and the traffic traveling everywhere, it was calm.

I would like to unreservedly apologize to John Crown for comments made by me on this blog, relating to his interview on TV3 news following the announcement of Minister Brian Lenihan’s illness in December 2009.

I would like to withdraw my remarks and apologize to Mr Crown for any offence caused.

Having been inspired by Sarah Gallagher’s diary as an intern in Washington DC in this weekend’s Irish Times, I’ve decided to revisit my own time in DC.

Throughout this week, I’m gonna post a series of extracts from the blog I wrote while in there as part of the Washington Ireland Program for Service and Leadership.  If you’re interested, you can read my full blog here.

Here’s part one: (From 10th July 2008)

Well, it’s been a day at the Senate for me. There’s something about post-recess that puts a spring in the step and life in the walls. Prior to recess, there were three legislative priorities left undecided: namely, the Housing Bill, FISA (Foreign Intelligence Security Act- or the “Enemy of the State” bill) and the latest Medicare Bill. In the first days back, it’s a big rush to get it all done. Particularly since the forthcoming election means a shortened legislative year, meaning less time to build a portfolio of laws to please the electorates back home.

It’s been a dynamic day. Firstly, Obama and Clinton are in the building. There here for the big votes. They make heads turn and fill the Senate galleries with interested spectators. Plus, you can walk the huge, high halls and see John Kerry, or Sen. Leahy or any number of crucial Senators. Senator Kennedy came back to a rousing standing ovation when he entered the chamber. My fellow interns and I couldn’t understand why the Senators (both democratic and republican) were clapping so enthusiastically, until we saw Kennedy’s face melting with emotion.

At lunch time, I grabbed a sandwich and then headed to a Constitutional Ice Cream social which continued the awe-inspiring theme. Sen. Dodd gave Sen. Byrd a rousing introduction, calling him the supreme authority on the US constitution both contemporaneously and historically. The two men share a long history in the senate, as did their fathers. It was touching to see. The now 91 year old Sen. Byrd is President ‘pro tempore’ of the United States Senate, which puts him third in the line of presidential succession.

Sen Byrd spoke, slowly, precisely and with obvious passion, about the centrality of the constitution to America. If you’ve read the Obama’s “The Audacity of Hope”, you’ll remember the passage when the freshman Senator writes humbly about the the day he met Sen. Byrd and the conversation they had on the fundamental importance of the Constitution.  I get the feeling that we, the audience, were treated to a similar discussion.

This year, the WIP Interns were honored to meet Sen. Hillary Clinton for a brief photo-op. She’s a very striking woman of poise and inherent power. She smiles like she does on TV. She was warm with us, though brief and it was a moment I won’t be forgetting in a hurry.

That night, I attended the annual Congressional Forum for four ‘Leadership Moment’ speeches from WIPpers and a record-breaking nine congressman. The congressman were working around their hectic voting schedule but to have so many attend was a real coup for the program. They spoke eloquently on their links to Ireland, their hopes for the future and their experience of the Washington Ireland Program. In particular, the evening honored Congressman James Walsh who is retiring following a lengthy term during which he was an avid supporter of the program. A great day ended with some epic dancing in a random bar!

(Image Source)

I am a huge fan of The West Wing. If I were to choose three things to bring to a dessert island, I’d be very reluctant to leave my boxsets behind.  Having watched them on an endless loop for months, I decided it was time to expand my repertoire of DVD boxsets. I got recommendations (Mad Men, The Wire, A Good Wife) which I may invest in, in the future. But for now, I ordered Commander in Chief online and watched it in 3 quick days.

THE STORY:
The President of the United States dies suddenly of a stroke, causing the Vice President to assume office. Mackenzie Allen (Played by Geena Davis and a pair of ginormous lips) is the calm, reasoned and rather flat new president.

THE PROS:

• Anything that’s set in Washington DC, I’m predisposed to love. This offers only the occasionally shot of the city that stole my heart, but I love it none the less.
• I loved her wardrobe. Female leads never get decent suits, but President Allen’s are feminine, exquisitely cut and accentuated by a broach. I always thought broaches were for grannies, but maybe not. Maybe fashion is a facile reason to like a show,  but it’s a reason none the less. (Image source)
• Given that the show tells the story of the first female US President, there are some interesting forays into protocol and practicalities. Should she dance with male heads of state? Should she shake hands or kiss cheeks? How will Muslim countries respond to a woman with nuclear weapons?
• There are some gentle digs at Hillary Clinton as First Lady. “Mrs. Clinton had a staff of 20 and an office in the west wing” clucks the prissy hostess “That didn’t go over very well”.
• The First Family. I enjoyed the familial subplots, involving the President’s 16-year-old twins and 6-year-old Amy. Their romantic entanglements are entertaining (if ultimately unresolved) and Amy’s wide-eyed innocence was adorable. Jim Garner (played by Harry Lennix) is very Obama-esque as Chief of Staff.
• At times, the dialogue was pretty spunky. Arguing with the Speaker of the house over whether the world is ready for a female Commander in Chief, the president retorts: “We’d have the whole once-a-month, ‘will she/won’t she press the button?’ thing.” He laughs nastily and says, “Well, in a couple of years you’re not going to have to worry about that anymore.” Here’s that scene, one of the best in the show:

CONS:

• It lacks the political complexity, timing, wit, realism and intelligence of The West Wing. It lacks the oratory. There’s no sense of urgency or suspense.
• It’s unrealistic. The aim of this show is, pretty overtly, to show that a woman can sit in the oval office and the world will continue to spin. To do this (as Genna Davis mentions in an interview on the DVD), President Allen concocts all sorts of creative solutions to problems.  North Korea stepping back from the brink of war, for example. It’s pretty fanciful stuff.

  The villain of the piece, Speaker Nathan Templeton, played by Donald Sutherland, is a caricature. His snowy hair and mean eyes portray his ambition, but with little explanation or development of his character. The women surrounding him are far more believable, his sweet but determined wife and savvy, sexy, blonde chief of staff Jayne.

• Allen is a flat president. She seems restrained and contemplative, but also shallow and disengaged. She’s naïve too, and far too lucky. She always triumphs. Whether it’s a broken teleprompter, a military screw up or a cranky member of congress, President Allen always comes out the hero. It is too good to be true.
• Disappointingly, there’s a strong focus on the president’s gender, as opposed to her policies of beliefs. As the first independent president, there’s plenty of scope but in its efforts to show a woman with balls, Commander in Chief focuses on national security and the military. There’s little policy discussion or debate.
• The loose endings. Season one tees up lots of interesting plots twists and teasers, but none of them are resolved. Kites are flown about the daughter, the press secretary and the vice-president with zero resolution. I’m sure they were to be resolved in Season 2 (which was never made) but I left it feeling a bit hard done by.
• There’s no continuity. At the end of one episode, there’s a decision about a death row case. The implications of the choice are said to be huge, and then it’s never mentioned again. Disappointing.

  I felt the sets were poor. The press room looks like the back of a lorry and the press secretary, well she ain’t got nothin’ on CJ.

• I enjoyed the hop-all-over-the-timeline style, but could have done without the condescending character labels. Every time a new person was introduced, their name and title flashed up on screen. If you introduced them to me properly, I could remember them and you wouldn’t have to treat me like an idiot, ok?
• Her lips. Geena Davis has massive lips. They were very distracting. And she’s far too youthful for the Oval Office.

OVERALL:
Would I buy it? No.
Would I rent it? Sure.

Would I recommend it? Only as a fluffy fantasy. It’s not in the same league as The West Wing.

Via: Stuff No One Told Me

Find out who you write like.I write like David Foster Allen. (Never heard of him!)

Some great french words that don’t translate into english, although I wish they would. Funny in a very dorky way.

The Billion-O-Gram for 2009 is here and well worth a look. For those of you new to The Billion-O-Gram, it’s basically a visualization of how the world’s money has been spent in 2009 comparing military spending, aid, financial crisis, value of big companies etc. Fascinating stuff.

A wonderful profile of outgoing President of DCU, Ferdinand Von Prondzynski. His blog is here.

Sarah Carey on our aid priorities.

When street signs meet song titles. Funny.

When I was about 16, I used to spend hours tearing the newspapers apart trying to find something to disagree with and promptly posting a letter to the editor outlining my dissatisfaction.  I was a cantankerous child and this was an easy outlet for my angst. It was the best craic. (Major nerd points here!)

Anyway, today I revisited my younger self and sent an angry email (oh, how we’ve grown) to the editor of the Herald. It was in response to Dan White’s “10 places where the government’s axe must fall”, and in particular, his attack on Irish Aid.
His full piece is here, and this is the bit that interests us:

3 Scrap Irish overseas aid. Despite being mired in the worst fiscal crisis in the history of the independent Irish State we are still shelling out €800m a year on overseas aid. Well with all due respects to the Third World groupies charity begins at home. If they feel so strongly about their assorted causes and hobby-horses let them collect money the old-fashioned way from the public.

Here’s my rant:

Dear editor,

I write in response to Dan White’s facile column entitled: “10 places where the government’s axe must fall” in which he suggested that the the Irish government should cut all overseas aid. Firstly, I’d like to point out that currently the Irish government spends €671.4 million (or less than 0.5% of GDP) on overseas aid, not the €800m a year as suggested in his piece. The aid budget has been cut substantially in the last 3 budgets causing life-saving programs to be ended.

Perhaps Mr White is unaware that the “worst fiscal crisis” has also hit developing economies causing the numbers of hungry people to rise to 1 billion. Cutting aid would directly lead to increased numbers of needless deaths. Furthermore, developing countries are a prime breeding ground for terrorist groups.  Ireland has a well-respected overseas aid program, and to abandon it would be morally wrong and wholly counterproductive.

Best Regards,
Clare Herbert