Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I open now to any member who wishes to indicate. While members are thinking I may pose a question. I have some familiarity with the programme. I was privileged to co-chair the SEUPB for five years. It is an extraordinarily valuable initiative. It has now reached a substantial mass of money. I have two questions for the Minister. Will the Minister explain the evaluation process for eligible projects? In the beginning of the programme much of it was contingent on peace building, sometimes occupying communities in a focused way. We have gone beyond that now. Since the bedrock of the Good Friday Agreement had three strands, does the commitment to the bedding-down of peace now require a more all-island approach rather than simply a Border approach, an each-side-of-the-Border approach, so that there is a greater understanding of issues on an all-island basis? Is that something that could be encompassed or supported by the new funding round?