Vol. 533 No. 2
16 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will provide the necessary funding to enable the proposed Peace Park at Ballybunion, County Kerry, in honour of former US President Bill Clinton, to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2897/01]
The Department's reconciliation fund was established in 1982 to assist organisations involved in reconciliation work and in developing a better understanding between people in both parts of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain. Since its establishment, it has funded a variety of organisations which are working in the field of reconciliation in Northern Ireland; between North and South; and also those involved in Anglo-Irish reconciliation.
The Department welcomes applications from organisations which believe they may qualify for consideration under the criteria governing the fund. All applications are considered by an interdepartmental advisory committee on the basis of eligibility criteria which are available to applicants and the advisory committee then makes its recommendations to me.
I have arranged for an application form, which is now available on my Department's internet site, to be sent to the organisers of the proposed peace park at Ballybunion and any application that they make for funding will, of course, be carefully considered.
