THE European Commission office in Belfast has given an assurance that the full amount promised under the EU special peace and reconciliation fund for the North will be paid.
The European Parliament's proposal to reduce the 1997 allocation of the £240 million peace fund from £125 million to £47 million provoked "strong opposition" from the IBEC-CBI North South joint business council.
The North South business body said the funding was vital for the economy in the North and in the Border counties. "It is not just a matter of handing out money", said the council's chief executive, Mr John Kenna. "The funding is badly needed and the peace package needs to be maintained not just at the present level, but to be extended into 1998 and 1999."
The concern centred on whether the parliament's proposal would have the effect of reducing the overall allocation, or whether it was a "book keeping" exercise and that eventually all the £240 million would be provided.
The EU Commissioner for Regional Affairs, Ms Monika WulfMathies, expressed "deep regret" over the parliament's decision to reallocate this year's funding to the EU's depressed steel and textile regions, on the proposal of the Socialist grouping.
Ms Jane Morrice, head of the European Commission office in Belfast, expressed confidence that all the money would be granted.
The Ulster Unionist MEP, Mr Jim Nicholson, said he and his two Northern MEP colleagues, the Rev Ian Paisley and Mr John Hume, would be lobbying to ensure the £78 million was not withdrawn.
