Mr. Rob Power:

Our message to the committee today is that we would really value its input with the Department of public expenditure and the Department responsible for EU affairs when they are taking on that discussion.

At a European level, they will be having a discussion to showcase the value that cohesion funding has brought to bear to date. At a national level, it is very important that the regional assemblies be put on a statutory footing for that funding. That is key. We have really seen the benefit when that European funding is given to the regional level. The cohesion that works between the regional and local levels democratises that funding completely and it has been shown to be valuable time and again.