HL Deb 23 March 1988 vol 495 c285WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What advice and guidance they have given to the administrators of the International Fund for Ireland concerning economic and social policies and priorities (a) within Northern Ireland and (b) within Belfast City and immediate neighbourhood.

Viscount Long

Article 3 of the agreement to establish the International Fund for Ireland provides that,… disbursements shall be consistent with the economic and social policies and priorities of the respective Governments …". To this end, the independent board which administers the fund is advised by an advisory committee comprised of senior civil servants of the two governments, which meets regularly. The committee has advised on many aspects of the fund's operations and on the numerous projects submitted for assistance within the fund's area of operation, which includes the whole of Northern Ireland.

Control of the programmes through which the fund's moneys are disbursed lies with the board of the fund, in accordance with the terms of the agreement.