41 Mr. Hilliard asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will attempt to ensure that the European Parliament will not refreeze a substantial portion of the funding for peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland; and the contacts, if any, he has made in this regard, particularly with his socialist counterparts in view of their strong initial support for the cut in funding. [23976/96]

I am glad to say that at its second reading of the draft 1997 budget on 19 November, the Council confirmed the budget line of 100 million ecu for the Peace Programme.

I, and other members of the Government, spared no effort in impressing on senior members of the European Parliament, including its President, Mr. Haensch, the importance of the support of the EU institutions for the peace process in Northern Ireland. The Parliament is due to vote on the 1997 budget tomorrow and I am confident that it will confirm the provision in its final reading.