Mr. Pat Colgan:

We are working closely on these issues with the Department of Education in Northern Ireland and in Dublin with the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. As these are sensitive policy areas, it is important the lead Departments provide us with our direction on them. It is in this context that the proposals I have suggested are made.

Deputy Feighan asked about the exclusion of Roscommon from the programme. I take his point. On how parts of the west of Scotland became part of the INTERREG programme, this relates to changes in regulations in 2007, which was when the current programme period commenced, which allowed for a maritime border of up to 100 km in terms of co-operation. The introduction of this change made it possible for co-operation between western Scotland and Ireland. That is the basis on which that occurred. However, we are required to work within what are clearly defined eligible areas, which are defined by EUROSTAT in Brussels and relate to populations and specific definitions of areas that are contiguous or share a border with another partner. Roscommon is just outside that, as is Meath. There is flexibility around approximately 20% of programme expenditure that can be spent outside the eligible areas and we should, perhaps, be looking a little more proactively at how we might take advantage of that. I take the Deputy's point that Roscommon is close to the designated region and has some very important stories and linkages of which we could take some advantage. We look forward to exploring that into the future.

The socioeconomic analysis to which Mr. Conor Murphy MP referred is a comprehensive and broad brush, although that definition probably does not do it justice. It is a fulsome and comprehensive socioeconomic analysis. We are mindful of the local dimension of these socioeconomic analyses, particularly in the context of the types of initiatives about which we are speaking and the word-by-word analysis of issues of serious social and educational deprivation and so on. It is very much a part of our thinking.

Reference was also made to the turnaround time. As part of the consultation process we asked people to tell us what they thought worked well and what did not. This was identified as an area of the programme that is not working well. This relates to the manner in which we establish the rules for programme implementation. We are in discussions with personnel in the Department of Finance and our Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on new approaches, if possible, to the implementation of the programmes. In this regard, we are making suggestions and recommendations. We are hopeful that we will be able to put in place a system for INTERREG and the PEACE programme based on the difficult lessons we have learned during this programme period. We look forward to putting forward specific suggestions in this regard. It is important we meet all of the governance requirements of the Northern Ireland Executive and Irish Departments, but we believe it is possible to do so while being more efficient and predictable in terms of project applicants' expectations of when they could expect to get a reply in regard to a particular application. This is very much a part of what we are trying to do.

On Narrow Water Bridge, I am sure everybody in the room is familiar with the issues around this matter. Our discussions on this matter with the lead partner are continuing. Members will be aware that the tender bids received were significantly in excess of the amount available for award, which presents difficult issues for the project. However, we will continue our discussions with the lead partners and relevant Departments involved.

On the Orange Order, I accept it has been a difficult summer, particularly in Northern Ireland. We are in close consultation with the Orange Order. We meet it regularly and carefully monitor implementation of the conditions contained in its letters of offer. I am satisfied that we are making a good deal of progress in this regard. Is it perfect? No. Many things in Northern Ireland are not perfect. However, it is important we continue this dialogue. The projects we are putting in place with the Orange Order are, I believe, challenging it in terms of the way in which certain things are addressed and the way in which its institution, infrastructure, organisation and culture is open to the rest of society. The PEACE programme enables us to have conversations with organisations like the Orange Order which we probably would never have been able to have had. Despite the difficulties and complexities associated with it, it is in my view well worth continuing and pursuing for the benefit of everybody in society.