Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 April 2014
140. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in the context of the North-South Ministerial Council agenda, consideration will be given to the prioritisation of cross-Border infrastructural projects which have clear mutual benefits North and South; his views on such proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17303/14]
View answerInfrastructure has a critical role to play in building a prosperous all-island economy and to this end I see cross-border co-operation on infrastructural development as being very important. My Ministerial colleagues and I are working together with our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive to identify priorities for greater cross-Border co-operation which will be mutually beneficial North and South. In line with the decision at the North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Plenary meeting last November on the St Andrews Review of north south co-operation, Ministers are currently discussing with their Northern counterparts priorities for practical economic cooperation to help economic recovery and job creation to optimise the use of public money and to ensure the most effective delivery of public services on the island. The outcome of these discussions, which may also include possibilities for developing infrastructural projects, are to be considered at the next NSMC Plenary meeting. EU funding has been of considerable importance in undertaking infrastructural projects on this island. While the drafts of the future EU programmes, INTERREG V and PEACE IV, are currently being developed, there may be scope for funding under these programmes for further cross-border infrastructural projects.
