MEP attacks preferential treatment for ex-prisoners over innocent victims
05 May 2009
Statement by TUV MEP Jim Allister:
"Under the EU Peace III programme, whose criteria and target groups were approved by OFMDFM, I am appalled at the preference being given to ex-prisoners groups over innocent victims. Not only, have ex-prisoners got £10m under the first tranche of Peace III, approved by OFMDFM, but as a "target group" they have the advantage of being able to qualify for funding under both their own aegis but equally they can poach funds from the target group, "victims of the conflict", because of the monstrous definition of victim which includes perpetrators of violence.
“Thereby, a prisoners group can promote two projects under different aegis and obtain funding for both, provided they are distinct projects, one qualifying for ex-prisoner funding and the other as victim funding. This innocent victims cannot do. Therein is the inequity of which I complain - that ex-prisoners have two streams of funding from which to benefit, but innocent victims have only one. Thus, ex-prisoners have a preferred advantage over innocent victims.
“Yet, scandalously, it was OFMDFM's approval of these various targets groups and the criteria under which Peace III operates which makes this possible."
