Fund for Victims of violence
In the Good Friday Agreement the Government recognised that it is essential to acknowledge and address the suffering of the victims of violence as a necessary element of reconciliation.
As a further step towards the fulfilment of the Governments obligations under the Good Friday Agreement, the Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern TD, announced today that the Government will allocate €3m this year towards addressing the needs of those in this jurisdiction who have suffered as a result of violent action arising from the conflict in Northern Ireland.
Funding will be allocated by a Commission to be known as the Remembrance Fund Commission, analogous to the Memorial Fund in Northern Ireland, which will be established on a statutory basis in the very near future.
The establishment of the Commission follows on from the work of the former Tánaiste, Mr. John Wilson, and the publication of the Victims Commission Report "A Place and a Name" in 1999. The legislation establishing the Commission will be published shortly.
ENDS