Mr. John Kelpie:

We have embarked on engaging in a completely new set of relationships in the north west, as the Chairman knows. As I said, they are endorsed in the Fresh Start agreement. My colleagues have mentioned the local community and economic planning process in southern counties. We have a similar process in the northern counties, the community plan. Both counties have developed a strategic plan to drive forward the economy, physical regeneration and social well-being. We have set up a new strategic partnership model to work on the key strategic issues that affect both councils. The memorandum of understanding we have goes much deeper than that. We actually have a joint committee of the councillors of both councils. They meet regularly and have the delegated authority of both councils to take decisions on economic matters. They tie into a wider strategic partnership that comprises senior government officials from all Departments from both Governments, in both Belfast and Dublin. It is truly a unique place-based partnership model. It is one that we believe does not exist anywhere else in Europe and which is increasing its maturity. A key risk facing it is Brexit.