Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on the work of the North-South unit in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33154/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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There is a North-South dimension to the work of a number of areas in my Department. The lead North-South section in my Department is mainly involved in the process of agreeing corporate plans, business plans and annual budgets for North-South bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement. In co-operation with sponsor Departments, it is also involved in agreeing guidance for the bodies on various matters such as proper financial procedures. This work involves regular attendance at joint North-South meetings and liaison at official level with the Administration in Northern Ireland.

In addition, the freedom of information central policy unit of my Department has been involved, with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the NSMC joint secretariat and the OFMDFM in Northern Ireland, in the development of a code of practice on freedom of information to facilitate access to information held by each of the six North-South implementation bodies and Tourism Ireland Limited. Drafting of the code was completed earlier this year and was the subject of a public consultation exercise that ran for 16 weeks, ending on 7 October 2005.

During the consultation period, the code was also implemented on a pilot basis by the North-South bodies and Tourism Ireland Limited, which will continue to operate it on this basis pending formal adoption of the code by the responsible Ministers. The code is based on the provisions of FOI legislation currently in force in both jurisdictions. My Department is also involved in determining the remuneration, grading, numbers, pensions and other conditions of service of the staff of the North-South bodies and Tourism Ireland Limited.

I would also like to draw the Deputy's attention to my Department's substantial contribution to North-South co-operation. My Department actively assists cross-Border co-operation through supporting the Special EU Programmes Body in its role as managing authority to two EU-funded cross-Border programmes. The Special EU Programmes Body, SEUPB, is one of six North-South implementation bodies set up under strand II of the Good Friday Agreement. It operates under the political direction of the North-South Ministerial Council. The operating costs are met by my Department — 50% — and the Department of Finance and Personnel, Northern Ireland — 50%.

The two North-South EU programmes are PEACE II and INTERREG IIIA. The aim of the unique EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, PEACE II, is to promote reconciliation and help to build a more peaceful and stable society in Northern Ireland and the six southern bordering counties, namely, counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth. It has a strong cross-Border focus and a minimum of 15% of funds are allocated to cross-Border activities in the public, private and community sectors. The total value of the overall PEACE effort since its commencement in 1995 is €1,504 million. The value of the PEACE II programme, which was extended at the end of 2004 for a further two years, 2005 and 2006, is €867 million since its commencement in 2000. I am very aware of the importance of the work of the programme to the peace process.

The INTERREG IIIA programme, 2000-2006, Ireland-Northern Ireland, aims to address the economic and social disadvantage that can result from the existence of a border. It covers most of Northern Ireland and the six southern bordering counties. All projects must be of a cross-Border nature. The value of the programme is €182 million.

My Department is making every effort to ensure that there is continued support for these EU-funded cross-Border programmes as part of the EU budget agreement for the next EU financial period 2007 to 2013. My Department plays an active role in interdepartmental consideration of North-South economic co-operation. As the Deputy may be aware, I have recently emphasised the scope and necessity for such co-operation. In this context, my Department will co-ordinate the drafting of the next national development plan to cover the period 2007 to 2013 and the Government has stressed that this will have an important all-island dimension.