1 February 2001 Edition
Where's the peace dividend?
Sinn Féin chairperson of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee, Pat Doherty, commenting on a statement from Secretary of State Dr Reid welcoming the benefits of peace has asked, ``where is the peace dividend?''
``The general assessment of the benefits of peace made by Dr Reid today is of course something that we are all aware is underpinning our future hopes,'' said Donerty. ``But on the fundamental issue of the unemployment differentials between Catholics and Protestants, there has not been such progress despite increases in GDP, job creation or foreign investment.
``Despite the overall good news in terms of the economic benefits of peace the question must be asked, where is the peace dividend?
``As of yet there has been none. There is real scope in redeploying the war budget for reconstruction measures and for the realignment and development of the local economy. Estimates of the sums that could be released back into reconstruction are anywhere between £800m and £1 bn.
``Evidence amounts on an almost weekly basis that we need substantial increases in the resources at our disposal to allow us to develop as a society emerging from conflict and to redress the discrimination of the past and undo the damage done by partition.''
``The general assessment of the benefits of peace made by Dr Reid today is of course something that we are all aware is underpinning our future hopes,'' said Donerty. ``But on the fundamental issue of the unemployment differentials between Catholics and Protestants, there has not been such progress despite increases in GDP, job creation or foreign investment.
``Despite the overall good news in terms of the economic benefits of peace the question must be asked, where is the peace dividend?
``As of yet there has been none. There is real scope in redeploying the war budget for reconstruction measures and for the realignment and development of the local economy. Estimates of the sums that could be released back into reconstruction are anywhere between £800m and £1 bn.
``Evidence amounts on an almost weekly basis that we need substantial increases in the resources at our disposal to allow us to develop as a society emerging from conflict and to redress the discrimination of the past and undo the damage done by partition.''