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Super Crossfighter/Windows Phone

5 apps worth downloading this week

Featuring a way to remember notes from the day before, a neon-visual shoot ‘em up and a way to help other people

EACH WEEK, WE highlight five apps that are worth downloading for your smartphone and tablet. There are a lot of apps released on a daily basis, but not all of them are worth paying attention to.

This week includes a way to remember notes from the day before, a neon-visual shoot ‘em up and a way to help other people.

TapPath
For: Android
Cost: €0.69

- Tapping links on mobile tends to be a somewhat slow process. Sometimes you will want to open the native app it’s linking to, other times you will want to view it on a browser.
- TapPath allows you to choose what app a link should open based on the number of taps you give. Which apps open up depends on your settings.
- For example, if you tapped it once, you open the link in a browser, two taps could open up Pocket while triple tap could open up share options
- A warning though, you will have to adjust the tap delay first before you get it the way you want. If you’re not opening the right service, that’s probably what’s causing it.
- If you’ve tried out other apps like LinkBubble, but didn’t find it to your liking, this could be what you’re looking for.

Chris Lacy / YouTube

Kindly
For: iOS
Cost: Free

- Before we talk about this app, we should mention that this is not an app designed to replace therapy or is a crisis helpline. The app states that as soon as you boot it up so if your problems are serious, it’s better to avail of these services instead of an app.
- The idea behind Kindly is to create a network that’s compassionate and allows users to talk about what’s bothering them for a few minutes.
- Signing up is pretty quick and once you’ve chosen your topics, you can chat anonymously.
- Chats are one-on-on last for 15 minutes and if you want them to last longer, you can send a friend request to them.
- If you’re able to spare a few minutes and help a stranger out, do. A little help goes a long way.

Kindly Kindly Kindly

Super Crossfighter
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cost: €1.79 (€1.48 Android)

- So this is a strange one. A game that was released on Xbox 360 has been re-launched with a slightly different name.
- Anyway, Super Crossfighter is retro gaming personified. Neon visuals, shoot-em-up gameplay and a “easy to learn, hard to master” arcade game makes it addictive.
- You have the option of different control formats, you could go for the traditional virtual buttons but the option to use slider or tilt controls is there too. You’ll likely stick to the virtual controls to be honest.
- The game is packed with content, and the action is frantic. The somewhat 3D camera view tilting can throw you off when you’re not used to it, but it adds to the overall feel.
- A game that you will be playing long after you’ve finished the main campaign.

radiangames / YouTube

OneStart
For: Windows Phone
Cost: Free (€0.99 for Pro version)

- Windows Phone 8.1 brings a number of improvements to the table, in both functionality and style, but one of the nicer ones is the ability to use transparent tiles and custom backgrounds.
- OneStart taps into this by providing a wide variety of Start Screen background options for you to try out.
- The basic versions allow you to change colours and pictures and provides you with a few edit features to play around with too.
- The Pro version, on the other hand, gives you access to additional patterns and options to play around with.
- If your own photos aren’t doing the job, or other similar apps aren’t doing the job, there’s a lot to like with OneStart.

OneStart OneStart / Windows Phone OneStart / Windows Phone / Windows Phone

Jot
For: iOS
Cost: Free

- Many of us write notes down, where we keep them is another story entirely. Some use traditional pen and paper, others use services like Evernote, but it’s likely these notes are soon forgotten about.
- Jot uses email to remind you but instead of sending them one at a time, it emails all of your notes to you the next morning for reminding.
- No matter how many notes you write in a day, all of them will be grouped together in the one email the next day.
- Obviously, its usefulness depends on how often you check your email. If you check it every day, then it’s perfect for remembering random thoughts.
- Useful if you’re looking for an alternative way of reminding yourself about tasks or ideas.

screen568x568 Jot / App Store Jot / App Store / App Store

Read: 5 apps worth downloading this week – 9 Aug >

Read: These Windows Phone features will prevent anyone from looking through your phone >

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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Apr 4th 2013, 7:08 AM

    I don’t think so. Get our own problems sorted first. The third world is going to have to wait in line.

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    Mute Michael Roughan
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    Apr 4th 2013, 7:11 AM

    I agree, there is plenty of poverty on Ireland at present that needs to addressed first. If you can’t look after your own , who can you look after others?

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    Mute WanderArch
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    Apr 4th 2013, 10:35 AM

    Has anyone promoting this bull line of “charity begins at home” ever been to a 3rd world developing country?
    Talk about a self centred pathetic “woe is me” attitude. We are not the worst off in the world. The extreme opposite. We have running water, we have food in the press, poverty here is very different from poverty there. Poverty here means you still have the clothes on your back, you can go to a homeless shelter. Poverty there is the norm for the majority of people, where they have a cloth to wrap around their midriff, and the closest tap that may or may not have running water is a 20mile walk away in the blazing heat.
    Licking your wounds is the exact reason that Ireland’s outlook is so negative. Get a grip – there’s worse off than you.

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    Mute Eamonn Bolger
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    Apr 4th 2013, 11:07 AM

    @wander arch; it is precisely your attitude that had us where we are. Look after everyone else before our own. Drop in funding? How about the heads of charities in this country lead by example.

    Many are on grotesque salaries, with one on €150k and another on €200k+.

    So €3k an €4m a WEEK has to be fundraiser to pay two people’s salary. IN A CHARITY.

    It is nuts.

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    Mute Bridget
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    Apr 4th 2013, 11:47 AM

    Most of us really don’t know what poverty is in Ireland..
    (Previous generations may have done but not us)

    We may be short a few euro or be behind on some bills but we don’t have to watch our children starve or drink dirty water..
    We should never be afraid to share what ever we have..

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    Mute WanderArch
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    Apr 4th 2013, 11:59 AM

    Eamon – there was a time when the only way you could get to many 3rd world countries was on a UN chartered aircraft. That’s not the case for the most part any more.
    There was a time when it was advised against travelling to anywhere that had HIV or malaria outbreaks, these are both in vast reduction.
    There was a time when a “hospital” was a tent on the side of the road and was powered by imported generators and had to be locked to the ground for fear that they’d be stolen, and the water came from imported water tanks that miraculously changed dirty muddy water or rain water or sea water into clean, drinkable water, fit for use in an operating theatre.
    By my book, these people deserve that money, because it wasn’t local armies that were doing that work.
    A man is judged by his charity when times are bad, the same applies to a country.

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    Mute Brian Osborne
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    Apr 4th 2013, 7:20 AM

    I know there’s people worse off than us. However, we are borrowing money to help them out, we don’t have any actual spare cash to give them. Moral dilemma????

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    Mute Paul M. Barrett
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    Apr 4th 2013, 7:17 AM

    I think it should be reduced even further or stopped completely. Charity begins at home and we can’t afford to keep throwing money away to corrupt African countries where there never seems to any change or improvements no matter how much money is spent.

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    Mute Andrew O Cionnaith
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    Apr 4th 2013, 8:21 AM

    Where did that disgusting saying “charity begins at home” come from? It’s complete nonsense. I think foreign children need to be saved from starvation BEFORE the state pays for free travel to the tune of millions a year, or BEFORE it puts a train line running through the middle of nowhere (WRC). Charity begins where it’s needed most.

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    Mute Tom Maguire
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    Apr 4th 2013, 10:28 AM

    Charity beginning at home is not disgusting. I am serious when I say that if I had my way not a single cent woukd go to any NGOs that focus on people outside Ireland. Africa etc has bled us dry for years and nothing ever changes despite the millions. The only charities I contribute to are those that help us out.

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    Mute Ross McCarthy
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    Apr 4th 2013, 10:48 AM

    Since 2000 malaria deaths have been cut by 75% in some countries. The child mortality rate of kids under 5 is down by 2.65 million deaths a year and the global share of women in parliament continues to rise reaching 20% for the first time ever. These are phenomenal achievements which aid has hugely contributed to. It’s very easy to just say keep the money, it’s ours, we’re broke but think it out. Aid is an investment in a safer, better educated and healthier world which is better for all of us.

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    Mute WanderArch
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    Apr 4th 2013, 10:53 AM

    It is disgusting. It’s horrible, it’s selfish, it’s self centred, it’s wrong.
    The fact that we give millions a year to Africa (which has far from bled us dry), shows the extent of its poverty – have you ever been to the continent? Not the touristy places, the actual continent. Have you ever been to Nigeria? Sierra Leone? Kenya? If you think the airfields that Ryanair use are bad, at least they have runways and shelters. There are civilian airports in fields there. The only shelters are Aid shelters from the UN and Red Cross.

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    Mute WanderArch
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    Apr 4th 2013, 11:51 AM

    Any Irish children starving are starving because money that does exist isn’t being spent on food. Most African children are starving because there is no food and no money to buy food with.

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    Mute Gaius Gracchus
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    Apr 4th 2013, 4:24 PM

    No money? $2 trillion in 50 years

    8
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    Mute WanderArch
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    Apr 4th 2013, 7:48 PM

    You’re saying 2trillion in 50yrs… The US spends multiples of this each year. The US is one country. Africa is a continent.

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    Mute Kardia Skepsi
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    Apr 4th 2013, 7:28 AM

    I will give my own money away but I shouldn’t be forced to through tax. Some charities deserve more than others and how can I trust the government to decide whats what?

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    Mute Gaius Gracchus
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    Apr 4th 2013, 4:17 PM

    Everyone needs to watch this excellent speech by Ernesto Sirolli, former Italian NGO worker in Africa http://www.ted.com/talks/ernesto_sirolli_want_to_help_someone_shut_up_and_listen.html

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    Mute Sinead Cosgrave
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    Apr 4th 2013, 7:48 AM

    I agree with everything that been said we can’t support ourselves at the moment never mind anybody else we’re being taxed up to the eyeballs and can’t afford to pay out anymore !!! I volunteer overseas and I understand that the aid is badly needed but enough is enough !!

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    Mute Ian Stephenson
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    Apr 4th 2013, 7:49 AM

    I think before we start talking about channeling more money into NGO’s we need a little more clarity on operational costs including salaries …. far too many organisations (over 70,000 !!! ) have charitable status with little if any accountability. Whilst many many of these are genuine they should have nothing to fear from greater accountability, indeed they should benefit from the shysters ( and by tgis i mean the NGO’s where over 50% of income goes in salaries, commissions and operational costs ) being shut down .

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    Mute Garreth Morgan
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    Apr 4th 2013, 8:00 AM

    In this middle of a huge financial crisis with hundreds of thousands out of work any available aid should stop altogether and the money be invested in Ireland

    Why should we help others when we are totally f****d? Charity starts at home and when we get back going then and only then should we begin to aid others

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    Mute Andrew O Cionnaith
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    Apr 4th 2013, 8:23 AM

    Because we’re not completely f****d, maybe?

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    Mute Garreth Morgan
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    Apr 4th 2013, 10:26 AM

    If we weren’t in such a bad condition economically why else would we be running at a massive deficit and introducing new taxes nearly on a monthly basis to generate cash flow?

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    Mute Garreth Morgan
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    Apr 4th 2013, 10:26 AM

    If we weren’t in such a bad condition economically why else would we be running at a massive deficit and introducing new taxes nearly on a monthly basis to generate cash flow?

    23
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    Mute Tommii Cosgrove
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    Apr 4th 2013, 8:01 AM

    sure – the corrupt UN telling us all to hand over money again to the same countries run by the same scoundrels who run the UN

    yeah right, the country is in the shit house and we need to get ourselves out of it before we hand over money to piss in the wind

    50
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    Mute Fox Trot
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    Apr 4th 2013, 7:34 AM

    Does charity not begin at home when all in this country have enough to eat and a roof over their heads then if there is something left over send it overseas !!!!!!!!!

    48
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    Mute Smiley
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    Apr 4th 2013, 8:23 AM

    Send it overseas when Irish debt is paid off and when we can be certain it reaches those who need it, not some corrupt African government.

    53
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    Mute Mata Mata
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    Apr 4th 2013, 7:41 AM

    Hi All,
    Check out this report, we must suspend all aid and maybe review it after we impose certain conditions on them like collecting their own taxes !!!!!

    The U.K. will give Pakistan 376 million pounds ($569 million) in aid this year.

    About 856,000 of the country’s 183 million people pay tax, according to the Federal Board of Revenue. Each taxpayer contributes on average 13,673 rupees ($139).
    In December, the government approved a plan to offer 3 million of Pakistan’s richest tax evaders a chance to pay a one- time 40,000-rupee penalty on undeclared income and assets of as much as 5 million rupees, in an effort to widen the tax net.

    45
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    Mute Larry Bird
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    Apr 4th 2013, 8:18 AM

    I agree that we should reduce or elimiate overseas support, however helping those in their own countries is preferable to them arriving on our shores looking for residency here – which puts enormous longterm pressure on education, social welfare, healthcare and pensions, as well as increasing demand for diminishing services.

    So for that reason I would continue to provide overseas aid – ONLY if we cease immigration completely bar highly qualified individauls who are specifically needed for industry

    41
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    Mute Itiswhatitis
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    Apr 4th 2013, 9:02 AM

    You are right.

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    Mute Declan Pollard
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    Apr 4th 2013, 7:45 AM

    Everybody seems to be very cynical when it comes to helping people in extreme poverty in underdeveloped countries. We forget what our ancestors suffered because of the horrific famine in the middle of the nineteen century. They suffered and died of starvation because of the cynicism and arrogant attitude of their neighbours across the sea. Borders shouldn’t matter when it comes to helping people who are suffering unimaginable hunger and disease. There’s a huge difference between suffering austerity and starvation.

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    Mute Kardia Skepsi
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    Apr 4th 2013, 7:59 AM

    Yes suffering is a global tragedy, borders don’t matter. I will give to charity because I care, however I will not force another person to give to a charity of my choice.

    57
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    Mute silentbob2012
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    Apr 4th 2013, 8:10 AM

    So Declan, by virtue of your argument the taxpayer should continue funding nations that syphon our donations for their own ends rather than those in need. Some Ugandan warlord needs another ivory backscratcher alright. Cut back on overseas donations, examine charities “administration” costs as many pay their execs an obscene package but most of all, loose the historical cultural cringe.

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    Mute Carcu Sidub
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    Apr 4th 2013, 8:36 AM

    I agree Declan

    The “suffering” Irish should give up the drink, cigs & Sky Sports to help their families out of financial trouble. Just like the 3rd World Governments should give up Jet Fighters & Tanks to help their people out of starvation.

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    Mute james r
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    Apr 4th 2013, 8:37 AM

    680 million is borrowed to be given away doesn’t make any sense what so ever. Should be stopped we can’t afford to be doing this . Charity begins at home .

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    Mute Hans Zomer
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    Apr 4th 2013, 2:01 PM

    James, maybe the point is exactly that the “home” where charity supposedly is to start (and end?) is a lot bigger than you imagine: Our prosperity in Ireland depends on global trade, and global stability. Spending 0.5% of our national income on investing in that stability must surely be a great investment? (It still leaves 99.5% on your other “home” expenditure!)

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    Mute Isaac Hunt
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    Apr 4th 2013, 7:57 AM

    I give a percentage of any money left over at the end of the year to charity, I think the government should do the same, when we make money everybody does well

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    Mute Claire O'Connor
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    Apr 4th 2013, 10:11 AM

    Do you think the government will have money left over at the end of the year?

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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Apr 4th 2013, 9:01 AM

    Start at home first

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    Mute Itiswhatitis
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    Apr 4th 2013, 9:04 AM

    I love how we help charities to help thoese in need abroad who then come here to say thanks but forget to leave.

    25
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    Mute Eamonn Sullivan
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    Apr 4th 2013, 12:30 PM

    If my neighbours kids were starving and I was broke I would probably use my credit card to get in some food for them. But what If I later found out that the food I bought wasn’t actually eaten by the kids, that the parents were eating the food themselves and allowing the kids to remain hungry? Would I continue to put myself further into debt the next week in the hope that my money/was going to the kids?

    22
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    Mute Jack Bowden
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    Apr 4th 2013, 10:34 AM

    Charity can be harmful. It can distort the markets and prop up failed governments and systems.
    Countries need to work their way out of poverty, be innovative, creative and hard working.

    22
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    Mute WanderArch
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    Apr 4th 2013, 10:58 AM

    Oh Christ…

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    Mute Lindsay Cleary
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    Apr 4th 2013, 9:47 AM

    Getting a bit tired of the ‘Corrupt African Government’ and ‘Fighter Jet’ arguments put forward by people who are anti-aid.

    Firstly, this is a dangerously racist generalisation. Secondly not all development aid goes to the continent of Africa, and thirdly not all development aid goes directly to Governments. It supports local organisations who are working day in, day out to support the poorest people in the world with services like healthcare, training, agriculture etc. Then you get the argument that ‘charity begins at home’, while you type on your smart phone filled with coltan and other materials that come from these developing countries, often mined by workers that you seem to care so little about who are forced to work in horrendous conditions. The very fact that you were able to wake up in a bed this morning, with electricity to power a laptop or phone and presumably the ability to pay for some sort of internet connection, puts you in the privileged minority of this world and it saddens me to think that so many of our population has such low regard for people in other countries.

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    Mute Lindsay Cleary
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    Apr 4th 2013, 9:54 AM

    *have such low regard

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    Mute Tom Maguire
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    Apr 4th 2013, 10:32 AM

    Your argument lost any clout once you brought the word racist into it. I for one am sick of that word being thrown at anyone who dares questions foreign aid, immigration and the whole failed social experiment that is integration.

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    Mute The Throwaway
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    Apr 4th 2013, 10:35 AM

    Let me get this straight: We give €640 million a year to Third World countries, we borrow €60 million to pay for that €640. So that’s €700 million per year (for year 2011-2012). And yet the Government look for €1 billion or so in cuts to services each year. And the NGO’s are saying we don’t give enough?? I guess I should be apologising to the NGOs for not been indebted enough to the banks. Maybe you would like to pay to keep that roof above my head because I can’t.

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    Mute Lindsay Cleary
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    Apr 4th 2013, 10:49 AM

    Tom, I wasn’t suggesting that racism is the reason people are against foreign aid- I apologise if that’s how it sounded. I just feel that generalising an entire continent with cries of ‘Corrupt African Governments’ isn’t a fair representation of African policy makers and organisations who aren’t corrupt!

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    Mute Amy gaffney
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    Apr 4th 2013, 12:17 PM

    Lindsay every government has a level of corruption. Some have much higher levels than others. Recognising that fact is not racist. Not recognising that fact is naive however.

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    Mute Thisis Dochas
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    Apr 4th 2013, 1:56 PM

    The thing with corruption is that it needs to be recognised as well as addressed. Overseas aid, in fact, helps to reduce corruption, as it supports free media, free citizens groups, and state watch dogs in many countries. The EU never used corruption in Government circles as an argument to stop financial support to Ireland – neither should we when we are supporting other countries.

    Cutting aid will not make corruption go away. Spending aid money on those institutions that keep it in check is a good investment.

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    Mute Eugene Conroy
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    Apr 4th 2013, 10:21 AM

    scrap free travel for pensioners and the disabled, scrap all medical cards for the unemployed and poor,cut back on childrens allowance to people on housing lists, put a tax on water and charge the homeless a homeless tax and then we will be able to increase charitable donation abroad. why dont we just issue them all with pps numbers then we can send them the dole as well

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    Mute Amy gaffney
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    Apr 4th 2013, 8:46 AM

    I’d only agree with reducing or eliminating aid for the duration of our recession if the govt signed a legal contract to triple it once we can afford to. Major changes need to be made in aid distribution too- cap the enormous salaries these executives get, demand clarity on admin costs, amalgamate the overseas charities into one to achieve economies of scale, publicise better the tax breaks for individuals and companies for charitable work/ donations, focus on one area at a time and then move onto the next when that’s self sufficient (as opposed to drop feeding thousands of areas and achieving nothing) and impose troika style demands on them ( “you’ll get this aid when you have demonstrated clarity in accounts/ reduced the fighting in the area/ demonstrated real progress towards job creation etc). The current style of charity is just not working.

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    Mute Thisis Dochas
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    Apr 4th 2013, 1:52 PM

    Many of the comments above treat development cooperation as “charity” and a luxury.
    We would argue that, while difficult, Ireland must find the resources to invest in international stability and development: The prosperity of EVERYONE in Ireland depends on a stable international community with which we can trade.

    Africa’s collective GDP, at $1.6 trillion in 2008, is now roughly equal to Brazil’s or Russia’s, and the continent is among the world’s most rapidly growing economic regions. Trade between Africa and the rest of the globe increased by some 200% between 2000 and 2011. A recent report estimated that publicly funded projects in 11 African countries could represent up to €12 billion worth of potential business for Irish companies.

    By investing in social sectors, by tackling vulnerability to external shocks such as climate change, and by strengthening democratic oversight, overseas aid is supporting and strengthening the basic conditions for economic growth that is now transforming Africa – and from which we, in turn, will benefit.

    Aid is not a luxury; it’s an investment in our own future.

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    Mute Muriel Gowing
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    Apr 4th 2013, 2:01 PM

    I have no problem with donating aid if it goes to the intended destination and helps the people on the ground. However, too much of it currently ends up in the hands of dictators, charity CEOs and the bottomless pit of the IMF.

    It’s ironic that Ireland is borrowing money for aid when some of that money goes straight back to where it came from via interest on long term loans. Perhaps those who lend money to both Ireland and Africa are benefitting more from “charity” than Africa and it’s people.

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    Mute Hans Zomer
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    Apr 4th 2013, 3:30 PM

    Muriel, on the basis of what evidence can you state that “too much of it currently ends up in the hands of dictators, charity CEOs and the bottomless pit of the IMF”?

    I don’t mind people stating that we cannot afford overseas aid (although I disagree). But it is a pity that so many myths about overseas aid are perpetuated.

    This might be a good short article to read: http://www.developmenteducation.ie/blog/2012/05/5-aid-myths-busted/

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    Mute Muriel Gowing
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    Apr 4th 2013, 5:43 PM

    Hans, any money or goods that end up in the hands of people other than the intended recipients is too much. Money may be needed to get the aid to its destination, but too much money can be haemorrhaged through bureaucracy along the way.

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    Mute Lindsay Cleary
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    Apr 4th 2013, 10:49 AM

    Tom, I wasn’t suggesting that racism is the reason people are against foreign aid- I apologise if that’s how it sounded. I just feel that generalising an entire continent with cries of ‘Corrupt African Governments’ isn’t a fair representation of African policy makers and organisations who aren’t corrupt!

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    Mute Ross McCarthy
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    Apr 4th 2013, 12:30 PM

    This article is worth reading to understand some charities fundraising approach. http://jrnl.ie/848941

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