Trócaire welcomes Ireland’s new aid policy

Trócaire has welcomed the publication of the Government’s new policy on international development, which focuses Ireland’s aid programme on four main areas – gender equality, reducing humanitarian need, climate action and strengthening governance.

“This new policy puts a welcome focus on the key issues Trócaire work on around the world,” said CEO Caoimhe de Barra. “The key focus on strengthening governance and women’s empowerment, while tackling climate change and humanitarian need, reflects the major challenges facing the world’s poorest people.

“Trócaire has consistently highlighted the importance of keeping human rights central to Ireland’s foreign policy. Changes in the global context make it more important than ever for Ireland to maintain these fundamental values at the heart of our international development programme.

“A clear re-affirmation of Ireland’s commitment to defend the universal nature of human rights by promoting and protecting them is fundamental to achieving the ambition of the new international development policy.”

The new policy was launched this morning by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Minister for International Development Ciaran Cannon. 

Trócaire also welcomed the Government’s recommitment to meeting its UN commitments on overseas aid spending.  

“Aid spending is currently way off track so Trócaire welcomes the Government’s timely announcement to renew Ireland’s commitment to meeting the UN target of 0.7% GNI,” said Caoimhe.

Download Trócaire’s submission to the new international development policy.