Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:3 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance his views on the scope of the promised PEACE III programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13098/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 6 May 2004
Ceisteanna (3)
Freagraí ó Béal (3 píosaí cainte)
The existing EU programme for peace and reconciliation, PEACE II, is a unique EU-funded programme for Northern Ireland and the Border region of the Republic. The Border region consists of counties Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Louth, Donegal and Sligo. PEACE II is intended to help Northern Ireland become a peaceful and stable society and to promote reconciliation there and in the Border region. The programme provides approximately €707 million for projects, of which €141 million will be spent in the Border region. The programme is due to close at the end of this year.
The Government is of the opinion that PEACE II and its predecessor, PEACE I, have been of great benefit in supporting the peace process in Ireland. The Government and its counterparts in Northern Ireland and Britain are exploring with the European Commission the possibility of securing an extension of the current PEACE programme to permit the consolidation of its valuable work. I emphasise that what is under discussion at this stage is an extension of the current programme for two years to the end of 2006 rather than the implementation of a new programme. A new programme will be considered in due course. The intention is to discover how best to focus the existing programme to meet its strategic priorities which are to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and promote reconciliation.
I thought the Minister would pull me up on my presumption in using in my question the phrasing "promised PEACE III programme". It is something which has not yet been committed to. I note the indication in the Minister's reply that while the Government is supportive of the extension of PEACE II to 2006, which we accept, it is also committed to the implementation of a PEACE III programme thereafter. Will the Minister expand a little on that?
It is important that the Minister acknowledges the great work which has been done through PEACE I and PEACE II since the introduction of the programmes and that this is something which should be continued and built upon. Does the Minister accept the principle that funding from this source must be additional to ordinary Government and, indeed, local authority funding rather than in substitution for it? It is important to make the point. Does the Minister acknowledge the excellent work of the various bodies which have been established and through which the current programme is operated? Is he familiar with the recent report, Building on PEACE: Supporting Peace and Reconciliation after 2006, produced by the consortium of cross-Border bodies based at European Union House in Monaghan town? An excellent case for a PEACE III programme is made in the report.
The Minister has indicated contact with the British Government on the 2004 to 2006 extension. Will he indicate whether the Government or his Department have yet initiated a joint approach to the European Union in terms of post-2006? If not, when might those initial and important steps be taken? The counties, and communities therein, listed by the Minister in his reply are anxious and concerned that this programme continue.
I join the Deputy in pointing to the great benefits of the PEACE I and PEACE II programmes to the Border communities, the exceptional work done and the great success, which they have been. The Deputy has given a fair summation of what is involved. I was involved in the last round of negotiations concluded in Berlin regarding EU Structural Funds and the peace programme. The current peace programme will run to end 2004. The other EU funded programmes run to end 2006. We are endeavouring, in conjunction with the UK Government and the Commission, to extend the current PEACE II programme from 2004 to 2006 to bring it into sync with other EU funded programmes.
The next round of EU funding is 2007-13. The EU Commission recently published the initial documentation in that regard. The negotiations on Structural and Cohesion Funds will be long, tedious and difficult and will not conclude this year. It is hoped they will be concluded in 2005. The Deputy will be aware that the current debate between the net contributor countries and the recipient countries is ongoing. As part of the negotiations on a broader financial prospective, we will discuss a peace programme. I agree with the Deputy that the Government should make a strong case to have a peace programme as part of the financial perspectives of 2007-13. I welcome the Deputy's support in that regard.