SAOIRSE32

10/11/2008

War of words continues between SF and DUP

10/11/2008

The war of words between Sinn Féin and the DUP is continuing unabated as the North’s power-sharing Executive remains mired in deadlock.

The two parties have been trading insults for several weeks as Sinn Féin continues to block Executive meetings in a row over the devolution of policing and justice powers.

The DUP is preventing the transfer of these powers from London to Stormont, saying it needs more time to assess the IRA’s future intentions.

Over the weekend, Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún questioned whether the unionist party was capable of taking party in a future built on partnership.

Speaking at a republican commemoration in Co Louth, she said the DUP’s two most fundamental principles were to defeat Sinn Féin and oppose power-sharing.

Funding for anti-sectarianism projects announced

Breaking News.ie
10/11/2008

The Government today announced €850,000 funding for cross-community and cross-border projects helping to defeat sectarianism.

Some 48 separate grants were awarded under the long-running Reconciliation Fund and the Anti-Sectarianism Fund.

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said the funding is aimed at promoting lasting peace and reconciliation on the island.

“The progress achieved on the political front needs to be consolidated by tackling the pressing challenge presented by sectarianism and division,” he said.

He added: “When we reflect on what we have been through, the achievements in building peace on the island can be clearly seen.”

Co-operation Ireland was one of the organisations to receive funding.

The Reconciliation Fund was established by the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1982 and supports organisations involved in reconciliation work in order to help create a better understanding between people on the island and between Ireland and Britain.

The Anti-Sectarianism Fund, launched in February 2008, assists projects in interface areas and is designed specifically to address the root causes of sectarianism and to diffuse tensions.

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