[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E976-E977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           PEACE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 22, 1998

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, today marks a truly 
significant milestone in the long and difficult quest for peace, 
reconciliation and the economic reconstruction of Northern Ireland.
  On this day, men and women throughout the island of Ireland, both in 
the North and the Republic, will be given the opportunity for the first 
time in history to vote on a plan designed to end sectarian strife, 
armed aggression and political turmoil, and move the island of Ireland 
into a new peaceful and prosperous era for all people there. I know 
they will seize that opportunity.
  Recently, I visited the Republic of Ireland and the North with a 
group of my constituents, including business, labor and community 
leaders, state legislators and my good friend Paul S. Quinn, a native 
Rhode Islander and prominent Washington attorney. I came away greatly 
encouraged by that visit, but persuaded that while we, in the United 
States with President Clinton's dynamic leadership, have done much to 
move the peace process ahead, much remains to be done, particularly in 
economic terms if the peace process is to succeed. I am therefore 
pleased to introduce into the Record at this time an excellent article 
by Mr. Quinn from today's Journal of Commerce that lays out a blueprint 
showing how that economic progress can be achieved. I urge all of

[[Page E977]]

my colleagues and friends of Ireland everywhere to read this carefully 
and to continue to commit themselves to the cause of peace, 
reconciliation, and economic reconstruction of the island of Ireland, 
during the critical months and years ahead.

                      Rebuilding Ireland's Economy

                           (By Paul S. Quinn)

       The people of Northern Ireland and the republic of Ireland 
     face a historic choice today when they vote on the peace 
     agreement worked out among the various factions involved in 
     the struggle in the North.
       A yes vote is the key to the next steps in the region, but 
     it is only a beginning. Economic growth and stability, shared 
     by Catholic and Protestant alike, is essential to the 
     continued progress of peace in Northern Ireland and the 
     border areas with the republic.
       In the 15 years I have traveled there, the North has 
     changed from a place fraught with distrust and violence to 
     one where peace is beginning to take root.
       In my recent travels there, I have been struck by two 
     things. The first is the tremendous appreciation that people 
     have for the commitment that President Clinton and his 
     foreign policy team, the U.S. Congress and, of course, former 
     Maine Sen. George Mitchell have made to the search for peace.
       But just as striking as their gratitude is their fervent 
     desire to have us remain engaged in the region. They believe, 
     rightly, that in order for the North to truly become a new 
     place, the United States, both our government and our private 
     sector, will have to be part of making that happen.
       Since 1986, the United States has put its money where its 
     mouth is in the effort to turn Northern Ireland's economy 
     around. We have done this primarily through our support for 
     the International Fund for Ireland, which has been a 
     tremendous success. Indeed, it is a story that has never 
     really been told. The fund has helped to increase 
     dramatically investment in the region, and more than 28,000 
     jobs have been created.
       There also has been substantial support from the private 
     sector in this country, primarily through the American 
     Ireland Fund, in the areas of direct economic help and 
     sponsorship of educational and training projects.
       Unfortunately, more is required to cement the great 
     achievement of the peace agreement. Additional economic 
     commitment is necessary, and much if not most of that has to 
     come from the private sector.
       The business community and the governments directly and 
     indirectly involved with the peace process must pick up the 
     challenge made by President Clinton and British Prime 
     Minister Tony Blair, reiterated on May 18 to the people of 
     Northern Ireland: There will be increased investment if the 
     peace process continues, and all on the island of Ireland 
     will benefit.
       There are some specific steps that can be taken to help 
     achieve this goal of creating jobs and economic opportunity.
       There must be continued support for the International Fund 
     for Ireland by our government, as well as the European Union, 
     Canada, Australia, New Zealand and perhaps other concerned 
     governments. The peace agreement does not mean the fund can 
     close up shop.
       Hard questions need to be asked sooner rather than later on 
     how to best make use of the $500 million stimulus package the 
     British government has put together for the North. Clearly, 
     the British government will have its own ideas. But the 
     private sector and others familiar with the region should 
     offer their good offices to help ensure that this money is 
     well spent and does not get lost in the bureaucracy.
       Commerce Secretary William Daley is going to the region in 
     early June with an impressive group of U.S. business 
     executives. This visit is very timely and important, and an 
     assessment by Mr. Daley and his team can provide a blueprint 
     for the kind of private investment that is both needed and 
     achievable during the critical days ahead.
       There should be an economic conference in the region soon. 
     The 1996 White House conference in Washington on Ireland laid 
     a foundation for what could be done to help Northern 
     Ireland.Using the results of that conference as a starting 
     point, a regionally based conference could help move ideas to 
     action. A comprehensive plan needs to be developed and 
     implemented without delay.
       For its part, the U.S. government may want to see if there 
     is more it can do to help strengthen the economy of the 
     region by spurring private-sector involvement.
       It is clear that, regardless of the nature and extent of 
     government assistance provided to Northern Ireland, at the 
     end of the day it is the ability to attract and retain 
     private investment that will matter most.
       Men and women of goodwill have worked very hard to get the 
     various factions in Northern Ireland to the point where peace 
     is possible. This effort should now be matched by the efforts 
     of the private sector.

     

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