Oireachtas Committee meets with the Irish Central Border Area Network

ICBAN representatives in attendance: Cllr Eamon Mc Neill, ICBAN Chair and Co-Chair of the ICBAN’s FRP Implementation Sub-Committee; Cllr David Maxwell, ICBAN Vice-Chair; Cllr Gary Doherty, ICBAN Board member and Co-Chair of the ICBAN’s FRP Implementation Sub-Committee; Cllr Paul Robinson, ICBAN Board member and member of the ICBAN’s FRP Implementation Sub-Committee; Mr Brian Johnston, Head of Tourism at Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council; Mr Shane Campbell, ICBAN CEO; and Mr Andy Hallewell, ICBAN Innovation Officer.

Speaking before the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Fergus O’Dowd TD said: “The work of local governments will always be important but never more so in the cross-border areas and the work of the inter-local authorities and their collaborations. It’s that working together element that will help the viability and sustainability of these areas from an economic, environmental, and socio-cultural standpoint but with the people at the heart. And it’s that collaboration, North and South, that will help this framework come to fruition.”

The Cathaoirleach added: “The Committee looks forward to getting a deeper understanding of the framework from the representatives, finding out how the cross-border and stakeholder collaborations will work together in the delivery, allowing the network to achieve its goals and objectives. We also want to hear how both Governments can assist in making it work.”

You can view the meeting in Committee Room 3 on the Oireachtas website. More information can be found on the dedicated Committee Webpage. Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.