The Government is to donate €1.25 million to a memorial fund for victims of the Troubles, the Minister for Justice said tonight.
Mr McDowell said the donation would be given to the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund at its annual gala fund-raising event in Dublin.
The payment, which will be spread over three years, will begin shortly with the allocation of €400,000.
Mr McDowell said the money was provided from a fund established by the Government following the report of former Tánaiste Mr John Wilson on meeting the needs of victims of the Troubles.
He said that the work of the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund with victims of the Troubles and their relatives was to be commended.
This work is important in going some way in attempting to ease the pain and suffering that has resulted from the Northern Ireland conflict, he added.