Denis Naughten
Ceist:37 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the response of the British Government to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee seventh report on the Peace II programme. [26791/03]
Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.
The financial support provided by the Peace II Programme has been of considerable benefit in supporting and underpinning the peace process, and in furthering economic and social development in Northern Ireland and the Border counties.
With regard to the response of the British Government to the House of Commons Northern Ireland Select Committee Report on the Peace II Programme, I do not propose to comment on the detail of this. However, I can assure the Deputy that the issues raised in that report have been drawn to the attention of my colleague, the Minister for Finance, whose Department has operational responsibility for the Peace II Programme. Where action is required, that action is being taken forward by the managing authority for the programme, the Special EU Programmes Body, SEUPB. The body operates under the direction of both Departments of Finance, North and South, who liaise closely on all matters related to the Peace II Programme.