McKelvey to represent US on cross-border funding body

GEORGE M McKelvey has been named as US observer to the International Fund for Ireland (IFI).

The observer represents the US as a non-voting member at the IFI, communicating US policy to the fund. The EU, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are also represented at board meetings by non-voting observers.

The IFI was established as an independent international organisation by the governments of Britain and Ireland in 1986. The objectives of the fund are to promote economic and social advancement and to encourage contact, dialogue and reconciliation between nationalists and unionists throughout Ireland.

US government funding for the IFI was authorised by the Anglo-Irish Agreement Support Act of 1986. To date, the US has contributed $421 million (€273m) to the fund, making it the largest donor.