Comhlámh held a debate last week on an aspect of the EU and the Lisbon Treaty that is often overlooked, that of overseas development aid. Tom Arnold, Director of Concern and a Patron of Ireland for Europe, spoke in favour of the motion, “Is Lisbon 2 a Good Treaty for Development”, with Andy Storey, AFRI, against.
Development aid has been a feature of the European project since the Lomé Convention in 1975, negotiated with Dr Garret FitzGerald as Foreign Minister during the Irish Presidency. It was renogiated in 1981, again during the Irish presidency, with Michael O’Kennedy as Foreign Minister.
The Lisbon Treaty adds new language committing the European Union to aiding developing countries.
