Minister for Foreign Affairs Welcomes Canadian Donation to International Fund for Ireland
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr David Andrews, TD, today welcomed the announcement by the Canadian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lloyd Axworthy, that Canada would contribute a further CAN$1,000,000 to the International Fund for Ireland over the next three years.
The Minister pointed out that Canada has been a contributor to the Fund since it was set up in 1986 and to date has donated CAN$ 4.15 million to the Fund's operations. Canada also helped shape certain Fund programmes, such as the Wider Horizons training programme for young unemployed people in the twelve northern counties of the island, and in fact a number of participants on this programme undertake their training in Canada.
The Minister said
"The Canadian association with the Fund has been invaluable not only in terms of financial contributions but also in terms of the particular perspective that Canada has brought to bear on the work of the Fund. I am delighted that Canada will continue to be involved in helping to underpin the political process in this practical way".
