Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Darrel Birkett via Flickr/CC

Does Ireland side with David or Goliath on the world stage?

A new report says it is the latter.

IRELAND DOES NOT use its position at the World Bank to back developing nations, a report to be released today claims.

The “World Bank- IMF Watch” report from the campaign group Debt and Development Coalition Ireland  (DDCI) says that Ireland is “failing to act” for global debt justice.

The report says it highlights the “intense poverty” caused in developing countries by unsustainable debt payments, and the massive losses in tax revenue due to tax inversions.

DDCI Coordinator Nessa Ní Chasaide said:

“As we face into our own budget decisions, people living in developing countries are experiencing levels of debt distress similar to that of Ireland. Yet Ireland is failing to act for global debt justice. Our report, published today, demonstrates that Ireland is now siding with creditor countries at the United Nations, and has, in recent days, voted against establishing fair global solutions to sovereign debt crises.”

Morína O’ Neill, policy analyst with DDCI and author of ‘World Bank IMF Watch Ireland 2014’, commented,

“Our analysis highlights that Ireland is not using its membership of the World Bank and IMF to fight for the rights of developing countries

“The IMF is attaching increasing levels of damaging policy conditions to its loans. The World Bank is investing in high-risk, private sector led projects, such as that in the Lower Aguan Valley in Honduras, Central America, which has escalated into alarming levels of violent conflict and human rights abuses, resulting in the deaths of people in the affected communities.“

The report highlights a World Bank Group loan to Dinant Corporation in the lower Aguan Valley in Honduras for Palm Oil extraction.

They say that the loan has “contributed to highly questionable purchases by Dinant Corporation of land from peasants in the region”.

Read: €2.1 billion: That’s how much extra the government could have to play with now

Read: Are Credit Unions and An Post teaming up to take on banks?

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
9 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds