Madam, - I refer to the recent correspondence on this topic and, in particular, to Kevin Myers's Diary of July 29th.
As a development consultant I do have a vested interest in this area; but I also have some knowledge of the situation on the ground.
For example, I have had a chance to visit and assess the primary schools, health clinics and rural roads built in Uganda with Ireland's aid money - they exist, function and provide valuable services.
The Irish taxpayers' money was not siphoned off into the purchase of either arms or Mercedes.
Yes, corruption exists in Uganda (as elsewhere) but it is Ugandans themselves who are exposing it, through a vibrant press, active civil society and lively parliamentary debates.
The issue is not the existence of corruption but what is being done to control it.
Here Uganda has a commendable record, as illustrated by the recent World Bank governance indicators which show significant improvement - more so than many of the other priority countries for Irish assistance.
The challenge to external donors is how they can best support that process, rather than criticising from the sidelines.
We should not delude ourselves that we can bypass the difficulties by channelling funds through voluntary agencies.
Although they play a valuable role, as part of the wider civil society, they are no substitute for effective public services - in Ireland or elsewhere.
The naïve and dangerous argument that Irish agencies can do the job should be seen for what it is - a new form of colonialism and thinly veiled racism.
We might also keep the aid issue in perspective - it accounts for just 1 per cent of Government expenditure.
- Yours etc.,
JOHN GRINDLE, North Circular Road, Dublin 7.