Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I would be grateful if the Minister would be good enough to come back to me when he establishes the position because it is a matter of concern whether the extension of the PEACE II programme also covers women in the child care sector in terms of what is applied heretofore.

Am I to understand from the Minister's reply that we are now looking at both Governments addressing what might apply post-2006 and that there is not yet an EU dimension to what might then come into play? Will the Minister be more specific in that area?

Is the Minister familiar with the report entitled Building on Peace: Supporting Peace and Reconciliation after 2006, which was produced by a consortium of cross-Border bodies based at European House in my home town of Monaghan? If the Minister is not familiar with it, I commend it to him. It is an excellent case for a PEACE III programme and I hope it is being factored into the consideration of both administrations in deciding what is to happen from 2007 onwards.

In recognition of the important role that PEACE I and PEACE II have played, I ask the Minister to affirm his commitment and that of the Government to advance to a PEACE III programme. That is very important for those counties.

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