Vol. 515 No. 3
107 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on twinning arrangements between towns and cities here and in other countries; the assistance available from his Department to twinning groups and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6056/00]
I welcome twinning arrangements between towns which lead to ties of friendship and result in better understanding between people. Local twinning initiatives can develop social, educational and cultural relations and sometimes lead to economic opportunities which are to the mutual benefit of the people of the towns and cities involved.
While my Department does not provide direct financial assistance to twinning groups, Co-operation Ireland, which is grant-aided by my Department, assists cross-Border linkages with towns in Northern Ireland.
