Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 223: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he plans to hold meetings with representatives of the Cross Border Corridor Groups along with his counterpart in the North, Mr. Peter Robinson, to discuss their concerns regarding the role they will play in administering the new round of structural funds under Interreg IVA. [20385/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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During the summer, I received representations from representatives of the cross border Partnerships outlining concerns about their role in the new Ireland/Northern Ireland/Western Scotland INTERREG IVA programme. Representations were also made to Mr Peter Robinson, Minister for Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland. My Department and the Department of Finance & Personnel in Northern Ireland asked the Programme's Managing Authority, the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) to produce a full report on the issues raised. In reply I indicated my expectation that the capacity and experience of the Partnerships will place them in an ideal position to enable them to gain a significant share of Programme funds in the new round.

We also asked that a meeting be arranged between all five Partnerships and officials from the SEUPB, the Department of Finance and Personnel and my Department. This took place on 14 September and I asked my officials to reiterate then my clear intention that the Partnerships would continue to have a significant role in INTERREG IVA. I understand that a comprehensive discussion on the role and practical arrangements for the new Programme took place at that meeting and that the Partnerships were reassured as regards their role.

I have asked the SEUPB and my officials to continue to fully engage with the Partnerships and all those involved in the new Programme to help ensure a smooth rollout as early as possible before the end of 2007.