Robert Torricelli: “Mr. Leahy, I know that you join me in welcoming the progress that the citizens of Northern Ireland and the Republic have…”

“Mr. Leahy, I know that you join me in welcoming the progress that the citizens of Northern Ireland and the Republic have made toward implementing a peace agreement. I would like to thank you and the members of the Appropriations Committee for the tremendous work you have done this year, including funding the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) at the full amount President Clinton requested in FY 1999. At this critical point in time, this Senate, and the United States as a whole, must begin to study our relationship with Northern Ireland and do our best to ensure that peace takes hold in the region. Dramatic cuts in the budget, particularly foreign aid, have made this task more challenging. Understanding both the need to support peace in Northern Ireland and dealing with budget cuts, I would like to request your support for consideration of adding any additional funding to the IFI, should it become available at a later time. It is important that we consider ways to meet the needs of the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic, and I hope you will join me in this effort.”