Washington, D.C., October 27,
1995 -- The House and Senate Conference has attached
strong language to the $19.6 MILLION contribution to
the International Fund for Ireland (I.F.I.) for
Fiscal Year 1996 in the Foreign Operations
Appropriations Bill Conference Report. The Report
says:
"The conferees strongly urge the International
Fund for Ireland to take every step possible
to ensure that all recipients of Fund support are
promoting equality of opportunity and
non-discrimination in employment."
"This is a major victory," said
Father Sean McManus, President of the Irish National
Caucus. "It is the result of intensive lobbying by
Congressional groups and Irish-American groups.
Congressman Ben Gilman, Chair of the House
International Relations Committee, along with
Representatives Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Eliot Engel
(D-NY) led the Congressional effort and all the
major Irish groups led the Irish-American effort."
"Significantly, both the House Majority Leader Dick
Armey and Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole lent their
names to the effort. Irish-Americans greatly
appreciate their efforts on the behalf of fairness
and equality in Northern Ireland," said Fr. McManus.
The Campaign succeeded despite vigorous opposition
from both the British Government and the U.S. State
Department.
"Now, of course, what really matters is getting
Congressman Gilman's Bill H.R. 1561 (which contains
legislation attaching the MacBride Principles to the
I.F.I.) passed into law. The Conference Report now
goes back to the House and Senate for a vote," he
explained.
"Equality and non-discrimination must be at the very
core of the Northern Ireland solution," said Fr.
McManus. "This latest effort will greatly help to
promote that solution," he added.
