Mr. Conor Murphy MP:

I listened with interest to the Chairman's summary of the report. It is interesting that the contribution has now risen to 85%, which is a new development. It would be interesting to explore in more detail what "contributions in kind" from groups means exactly. In many past cases where groups could have provided labour or land, it was not considered as a contribution in kind. That clarification would be welcome because it will make it easier for projects.

The Chairman also referred to the broad-brush socioeconomic analysis that will arise as preparation for consideration of the programme's themes. A much more detailed socioeconomic analysis is available, on a ward-by-ward basis, when it comes to assessing project applications and the awarding of funding to such projects. I assume and hope that that is something the Special EU Programmes Body, or SEUPB, will use at that stage. Quite detailed information is available to allow an assessment, rather than just a broad-brush socioeconomic analysis across the North and the Border counties.

Unless I failed to pick it up, there was no reference to turnaround time. Will there be improvements in this regard under the new programme? It has been a particular bugbear for many community groups, including those who have applied under all previous programmes and the current one. Has there been any specific attempt to address turnaround time for PEACE programme projects here, compared to other projects across the EU which take half the time?

While I know it is not part of the next programme, the Narrow Water Bridge project involves three councils - Louth, Newry and Mourne, and Down District - which have publicly committed funding for it. The SEUPB has been actively examining additional funds for that project. Is there any update on it? The Taoiseach has expressed some interest and people were also seeking an update from the Department of Finance and Personnel in the North.

The SEUPB made an award of £4 million to the Orange Order. In the North, we have had probably one of the worst summers in many years. I know that award was specifically for community relations work and reconciliation. Has all of that money been allocated? Has there been any discussion about the outcome that was supposed to be attached to such a significant award, given what has happened to community relations over the summer around the marching issue? Is there any ongoing engagement between the SEUPB and the Orange Order on what was expected to come out of a significant funding award? Over the winter period and into the summer, there have been street protests in Belfast. The ongoing protests in Belfast were clearly not about reconciliation and peace building.