John Ellis
Question:28 Mr. Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the views, if any, he has on the increase in the contribution to the International Fund for Ireland voted by the US House of Representatives. [9285/95]
Written Answers. - International Fund for Ireland.
Denis Foley
Question:37 Mr. Foley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself with the arrangements, both at ministerial and administrative level, for handling the additional funding from the United States in the wake of the peace process. [9281/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 37 together.
As Deputies will be aware, President Clinton has sought Congressional concurrence to increase the US contribution to the International Fund for Ireland from its existing level of $20 million annually to $30 million for each of the years 1996 and 1997.
This request for an increased contribution to the Fund is currently being considered by Congress against a background of severe cuts in the overall US aid budget. The Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives authorised $29.6 for the IFI for Financial Year 1996 and $19.6 for 1997 as part of the overall US aid package for 1996 and 1997. This recommendation was endorsed by the full House of Representatives on the 8 June. In parallel the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives has recently agreed to appropriate $19.6 million contribution for 1996. This recommendation has yet to come before the full House.
A similar process of consideration is also under way in the US Senate. It is likely that the outcome of the Senate's deliberations will differ from that of the House of Representatives. Accordingly, a House-Senate Conference will be required to reconcile the different approaches. I do not expect this legislative process to be completed until late summer or early autumn.
The Government will avail of every opportunity to restate the case for continued US support for the International Fund at this critical time and to express its appreciation for the United States assistance over the last nine years.
As regards administrative arrangements, the Board of the International Fund enjoys autonomous decision making powers within the terms of its mandate and its members act independently from Government. Over the last nine years the Fund has received a cumulative contribution of some $250 million from the United States.
The International Fund has its own decision making and administrative strutures. Its Board is assisted by an Advisory Committee of officials appointed by the two Governments. The day to day administration of the Fund is provided by a Secretariat with offices in Dublin and Belfast. In addition, the Fund has engaged the services of 10 local Development Counsultants across the 12 northern counties who assist prospective applicants to develop their proposals.
These administrative arrangements have worked very well over the last nine years and I am completely satisfied that they are fully capable of dealing with any additional resources that may become available to the International Fund in the years ahead.