Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 February 2010
111 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the cross-Border programmes, initiatives, areas of co-operation and so on which his Department is currently engaging in or about to engage in with its counterparts in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5818/10]
View answerNorth South cooperation continues to be a high priority for the Government. In particular, the Government is committed to realising the full potential for the development of all-island co-operation through the North South Bodies and the areas of co-operation established under the Good Friday Agreement. My Department, together with the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland, is co-sponsor of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), one of the North South Bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement. The SEUPB manages the cross border EU co-funded PEACE and INTERREG programmes.
The aim of the current PEACE III 2007-2013 Programme is to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and promote reconciliation. It promotes social and economic stability in Northern Ireland and the Border Region (Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth) by supporting actions to promote cohesion between communities. The value of the programme, including EU and national contributions, is €333m.
The Cross Border INTERREG IVA 2007-2013 Programme (Northern Ireland/ Ireland/Scotland) aims to support strategic cross-border co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable region. The Programme, which has a strong business and economic focus, covers Northern Ireland (excluding Belfast), the Irish Border Region counties and western parts of Scotland. The value of the programme, including EU and national contributions, is €256m.
The Government is committed to strengthening and deepening North/South cooperation over the period ahead to the mutual benefit of those from all communities, North and South.
