Canada Grants C$1/3 million to International Fund for Ireland
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, TD has welcomed a further Canadian contribution to the International Fund for Ireland. A cheque for C$333,333 was handed over by the His Excellency Ronald A. Irwin the Canadian Ambassador to Mr William T McCarter, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland at a reception today (Thursday, 25 January 2001) in Iveagh House, hosted by the Minister.
Speaking at the presentation the Minister said "The Irish Government is deeply appreciative of the Canadian support for the work of the International Fund for Ireland which has a strong record in cross community work, particularly in Northern Ireland and the six Southern border counties” The Minister also acknowledged "the consistent support of the Canadians for the efforts to find a lasting peace in Northern Ireland".
The Ambassador said that "Apart from Canada's support of the work of the International Fund for Ireland since 1986 with contributions of some C$5m, Canadians such as General John de Chastelain, Head of the Independent International Commission of Decommissioning, Clifford Sherling of the Patten Commission, and the Honourable William Hoyt and Justice William Esson of the Bloody Sunday Enquiry Tribunal, are rendering invaluable service to the peace process, through their expertise and dedicated personal commitment."
Mr W.T McCarter, thanked the Ambassador on behalf of the Board of the International Fund and said "the work of the Fund is only possible because of the generous assistance of donors such as Canada and he expressed his appreciation for the role Canada has played in guiding the Fund's projects, through the presence of the Canadian Observer, at the Fund's Board meetings."
Note to Editors
Canada has contributed C$4.8million to the International Fund for Ireland since its inception in 1986. Today's financial contribution is the second tranche of the C$1million announced by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien 1999. The next tranche of C$333,334 will be contributed during the 2001-2002 fiscal year.Top
