Dr. Anthony Soares:

I might make some initial comments and maybe Dr. Ní Lochlainn, who has her hand up, which is great, could come in afterwards. In terms of PEACE PLUS, I note, speaking here as a director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies, that we responded to both public consultations around the development of PEACE PLUS and highlighted our own priorities around that, which, obviously, given the nature of our organisation, would focus on the ability of organisations to undertake cross-Border projects. We also highlighted the need for people-to-people projects. There has to be a real balance between those larger projects and the funding that goes to larger organisations, as well as funding going down to grassroots organisations to enable them to do the great cross-Border work that they do, which is both people-to-people in nature and invaluable. I am hopeful that the PEACE PLUS programme, once it hits the ground, will enable us to do that.

In terms of obstacles to finalising that in terms of signing off on the PEACE PLUS programme, I would really hope that nobody puts obstacles in front of that because it is absolutely crucial to a whole range of organisations, North and South. It is also a vehicle because of the way that this new PEACE PLUS programme has been structured. It can also bring partners outside of the immediate eligible area. It is not only for the six Border counties on the southern side. It can involve partners from as far away as Cork. It can also involve partners from Great Britain. It can involve partners from elsewhere. There is the ability to do so. I really stress that we do not need political obstacles in front of signing off something that is of immense value to civic society organisations and other organisations across the island of Ireland. I will leave it at that and maybe hand over to Dr. Ní Lochlainn, if that is okay.