Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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64. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will end all Irish and EU funding to the Orange Order until sectarian violence ends. [36883/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The EU PEACE III Programme aims to promote peace and reconciliation through measures which specifically encourage a cross-community focus. Projects administered by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland must satisfy strict criteria to receive EU PEACE III funding and are monitored in this regard by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and the relevant lead departments; the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the relevant Departments in Northern Ireland. My Department’s Reconciliation and Anti-Sectarianism funds have supported community and educational outreach activities by individual Orange lodges both in Northern Ireland and in this jurisdiction. Each project application is assessed individually and the purpose of any funding is to support local initiatives aimed at tackling sectarianism. It is the responsibility of individual lodges in receipt of government funding to honour their obligations to address sectarianism. Each project in receipt of funding is assessed and reviewed. Only projects which have met the criteria of the Funds are considered for further funding. I believe that funding has helped support progress towards greater reconciliation in Northern Ireland and on an all-island basis, built on meaningful dialogue based on the principle of respect. In this context, I welcomed the decision by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland to allow individual Orange lodges to engage in discussions with community and residents’ groups.

More progress is required. The events of this Summer, and the ongoing protest parades in Ardoyne point to a need to progress meaningful dialogue further and I again urge the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, and all Loyal Orders, to promote and to engage in dialogue based on the principle of respect with residents’ groups.