Nationalist groups are gaining more than unionists from the European peace package fund, according to Northern Ireland's three MEPs. The Rev Ian Paisley of the Democratic Unionists, Mr John Hume of the SDLP, and Mr Jim Nicholson of the Ulster Unionists agree, however, that the greater funding to nationalist bodies is not based on discrimination. Instead it stems from the better community organisation of nationalists.
In the three years of the Peace and Reconciliation Programme, £260 million was allocated for schemes in Northern Ireland and the Border counties. The MEPs are now backing a European Commission proposal to gain additional funding of £160 million over the next two years.
While the proposal must be endorsed by the European Parliament and the European Council, the MEPs are confident that the fund's continuation will receive full EU support.
In a report to the European Commission, the MEPs agreed that Protestant communities were not seeking or receiving equitable funding because of a lack of localised structures. They added that unfair discrimination was not the cause.
Dr Paisley said the unionist community had been slow to submit grant applications while nationalists were in a position to seek funding for suitable projects.
He urged Protestant communities to establish local organisations and devise projects that would attract funding.
Mr Nicholson said the imbalance in take-up could be remedied by increased Protestant organisation at local level.
