Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Why is there a substantial increase in subhead A.2 for non-pay for administration?

Is it possible to divert more moneys to particular initiatives to assist North-South co-operation? We all have been in community and resource centres and facilities in Belfast and elsewhere which have been funded by the taxpayer. It is most unfortunate agreement has not been secured on the Haass proposals. When I met some groups recently, they suggested the proposals should have had some specific investment initiatives centred on the interface areas. We know there are so-called dissidents exploiting the situation in these areas. We would all be concerned if there were any going back to the bad old days and violence increasing. In 2013, we saw the thuggery and violence on the streets of Belfast which did all of this island serious damage. I welcome the provision of funding of last year’s level. If it could be increased, I could see great return on it. It is important to maintain contact with the different communities across all the Six Counties, not just in Belfast and Derry but in the rural communities as well.