Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on progress to date in implementing a PEACE III programme for the Six Counties and the Border counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19439/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the European Union agreed to provide €200m towards the PEACE III programme in order to build on the valuable work of its predecessors. The relevant EU regulations are being finalised at present by the European Council and European Parliament.

The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), one of the six North South Implementation Bodies set up under the Good Friday Agreement, is Managing Authority for the PEACE II programme. The SEUPB has been asked by the two Member States to begin preparatory work on the Operational Programme for PEACE III and the consultation process is under way.

A progress report was given to the PEACE II Monitoring Committee on 26 April. The Monitoring Committee membership and advisers comprise a wide range of representatives from both sides of the Border. These include nominees from political parties, regional interests, Government Departments, social partners, and regional/local government etc.

SEUPB are organising a series of public meetings in Northern Ireland and the six border counties in early June at which members of the public and key stakeholders will have the opportunity to express their views on the new programme. They may also make written or e-mail submissions on various aspects of the new programme.

I expect that the PEACE III Operational Programme will be agreed with the European Commission so that the new Programme can begin to accept new applications by mid-2007.