Billy Timmins
Ceist:356 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42866/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 November 2009
Ceisteanna (325)
Freagraí scríofa
The former Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, announced a £5 million endowment to create the Tony Blair Chair of Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool in June 2007, at the time of former Prime Minister Blair's departure from office. The Chair was created by the Irish Government in recognition of Prime Minister Blair's instrumental role in the Northern Ireland peace process.
The endowment was awarded to the University of Liverpool in recognition of the world-leading research, teaching and promotion of Irish studies carried out by its Institute of Irish Studies. The Institute was founded in 1988 as a result of recommendations made following the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985 for a dedicated academic body to research and teach Irish Studies. Since its inception, the Institute has played a key role in developing and informing peace programmes in Northern Ireland and has worked closely with the British and Irish Governments during the peace process.
As well as establishing a professorial Chair of Irish Studies, the endowment funding also supports capacity building in the Institute for Irish Studies, including through provision for several postgraduate studentships.
The consolidation of peace in Northern Ireland is a policy priority for the Government. The deepening and strengthening of British-Irish relations and the support for projects fostering lasting reconciliation and mutual understanding remain key elements of this process. The endowment was also significant in ensuring the future development of the Institute as a leading centre for Irish studies and was an important commitment of resources to the future of Irish studies in Great Britain. The fostering of Irish studies in Universities internationally is an important part of ensuring that Irish culture and heritage can be studied by future generations. The budgetary allocation for the endowment was provided for in Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and the endowment funding was paid in 2008.
Vote 28, of course, is separate from Vote 29 which funds the Government's development aid programme. In 2008, Ireland's total overseas development assistance amounted to €920 million, of which €768 million was provided for from Vote 29. This was an increase of €49 million on the total overseas development assistance funding of €871 million in 2007, of which €726 million was provided for from Vote 29. The decrease in the overseas aid budget to which the Deputy refers took place in 2009.