HALF MEASURE Experts say Ireland is foreign aid ‘laggard’ and call for contributions to be doubled despite donating €3.7bn since 2015 Exclusive 14 Apr 2021, 7:00 IRELAND is a financial aid "laggard" despite donating €3.7billion in foreign aid since 2015, it has been claimed. And critics warn that unless we double that amount, the country’s reputation will take a hammering on the international stage. 4 4 Ireland has committed to give at 0.7 per cent of their gross national income to aid - a target it has never reachedCredit: UNHRD In 1970 developed countries agreed to give at least 0.7 per cent of their gross national income to aid - which Ireland has never reached.