Northern Ireland and Border counties in the Republic are to get extra funding for peace projects following yesterday's meeting of EU leaders in Brussels.
Member-states declared their support for the efforts of the British and Irish governments to re-establish the devolved institutions, and the funding move is a contribution to those efforts.
The Peace II Programme was due to expire at the end of this year, but EU leaders have now, in effect, approved a two-year extension. The European Commission is now expected to recommend extra funding to the council. No estimates for the likely figure were available but it will be less than €100 million.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, told an audience in Derry last March that the EU had aided Ireland in its struggle towards peace. "The EU has been of enormous help in underpinning the peace we have already achieved in Northern Ireland," he said.
"The financial support provided by the Peace I and Peace II programmes has brought significant benefit. Some € 1 billion has been committed through these programmes. In addition, the EU has committed over €200 million to the International Fund for Ireland," Mr Ahern said.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/29656916-2243-4e06-a111-434a6e434849.png)