asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the fact that the amount of money that will be provided by the United States Government to back the Anglo-Irish Agreement is now known, he considers this amount sufficient; the amount of this money that will be provided as loans; if any conditions will be attached to this money; and, if so, if he will give details of these conditions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - US Aid for Ireland.
1.
On 11 March the House of Representatives adopted a Bill authorising a United States contribution to the International Fund to be established under the Anglo-Irish Agreement. Under the terms of the Bill a direct cash contribution of $250 million will be made available over a period of five years. The Bill also provides for other assistance to serve as an incentive for economic development and reconciliation in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The Bill provides that United States contributions in support of the International Fund may be used only to support and promote economic and social reconstruction and redevelopment in Ireland and Northern Ireland and, in particular, that the contribution be distributed in accordance with the principle of equality of opportunity and non-discrimination in employment without regard to religious affiliation. The Bill also specifies that contributions will address the needs of both communities in Northern Ireland. There is also a requirement for an annual presidential report to the Congress on the degree to which the objectives of the fund are being achieved.
The details of the Bill may, of course, be subject to modification during its passage through the Congress.
Is the Minister aware that, according to The Irish Times of 6 March, £20 million are to be made available as a direct grant to Ireland? Would the Minister agree that that is a very small amount of money to create such a fuss over? I am glad to hear there are no strings, other than economic strings, attached, but given the history of the United States economic investment throughout the world, it is not clear if that will remove us from other kinds of strings. In view of the small amount of the grants, loans and credits, is it wise for us to take up this loan? Are we not reducing ourselves to a state of beggary to the same extent as an under-tip that a taxi driver might take? Would it not be better to politely refuse this money and raise it by other means——
The Deputy is making a speech.
——through our contacts in the United States and a large number of Irish Americans there?
It is bad enough for the Leader of the Opposition to belittle the generosity of the American people——
Enough of that. The Minister should confine himself to dealing with Deputy Skelly.
Order, please.
The Minister should address himself to Deputy Skelly.
It is bad enough to have the Leader of the Opposition belittling the generosity of the American people when he is abroad without a Deputy coming into this House and doing the same. I am very sorry that that contribution has been made. This is an extremely generous response, not by loans but by a direct grant, to this country in appreciation of the agreement which has been reached by the British and Irish Governments to bring peace, stability and reconciliation to this island. Everybody on this island, particularly Members of this House, should welcome it, not belittle it.
Would the Minister not agree that the amount of money is very small——
Deal with Deputy Skelly.
Does the Deputy agree with me?
I said deal with Deputy Skelly.
Does the Minister not agree that this is a very small amount of money, in fact it is so small that similar amounts could be very easily arranged for business purposes by contacts with the United States?
The Deputy must confine himself to a question. He is now embarking on an argument.
Does the Minister agree that this is a very small amount of money and that rather than belittling it, the country is beggaring itself, through a great deal of international media attention, by getting a loan from a powerful State to help us out of difficulties which we should be able to get out of if we followed proper economic policies and gave attention to unemployment and housing problems?
The Deputy must confine himself to a question arising out of the Minister's reply.
That is a most regrettable contribution. This is not a loan, it is a grant and there are absolutely no strings attached. For Deputies in this House to throw the generosity of the American people back in their faces is appalling.
Deputy, not Deputies.
I am the Fianna Fáil Deputy dealing with these questions today.
Order, please.
The Minister should deal with the problems in his own party.
Order, please.
I am sorry a member of my party took this opportunity to take the searchlight on this matter away from Fianna Fáil.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please. Question No. 2.