Madam, - While Jim Dougal (Opinion & Analysis, November 23rd) is right about the significant financial contribution made by the European Union to the Northern Ireland peace process over the past 10 years, he is misguided in his assertion that the European Commission did not support renewal and extension of the EU Peace Programme.
The Commission was central to the launching of the programme in 1995 and has been steadfast in its support ever since. Indeed, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to the peace and reconciliation process in Northern Ireland and the Border counties of Ireland last January when it agreed an additional two years of financial support for the peace programme. Indeed, we we would like to see a Peace III Programme.
Perhaps Mr Dougal would be good enough to come forward with hard evidence that money from the peace programme went into terrorist coffers before making such sweeping allegations. - Yours, etc,
MARTIN TERRITT, Director, European Commission Representation in Ireland, Dawson Street, Dublin 2.