Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2004
179 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance his views on a report (details supplied) to the effect that a disproportionate share of €600 million worth of EU peace and reconciliation moneys for the Border counties and Northern Ireland went to bodies associated with provisional republicanism; and if he intends to take steps in this matter. [4402/04]
View answerThe existing EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, known as PEACE II, is a unique EU funded programme for all of Northern Ireland and the Border region of Ireland, that is the six counties of Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo.
PEACE II aims to help Northern Ireland become a peaceful and stable society and to promote reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border region of Ireland. The programme runs from 2000 to 2004 and will provide around €707 million for projects of which €141 million will be spent in the Border region. The EU contribution is €531 million. The programme represents a continuation of PEACE I that covered the period 1995 to 1999 to which the EU contributed €500 million.
To be inclusive, the PEACE II programme funds a wide range of projects across Northern Ireland and the Border region, including ex-prisoner groups, from both traditions. The total sum committed by the programme to ex-prisoner groups, from republican and loyalist traditions, amounts to €11.9 million. This represents around 1.9% of the total value of awards by the programme to all projects.
The PEACE II programme offers potential projects financial support as long as they meet strict funding criteria and can demonstrate that the moneys will go toward activities that promote peace and reconciliation. All projects go through the same application process and procedure and are subject to the same funding criteria. The programme also operates stringent and transparent monitoring and financial controls and all projects are subject to regular checks to ensure that the aims of the project, as set out in the application, are being fulfilled.
With regard to the allegation that some of the projects are run by figures associated with Sinn Féin, within the terms and conditions of funding there is a clause that clearly states that no PEACE II moneys may be used for political purposes and activities.
