Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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113. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Peace IV Programme will become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40319/13]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The SEUPB is currently involved in drafting the Operational Programme for the PEACE IV Programme in close consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in Ireland and the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland.

The first consultation with stakeholders across the eligible regions including the Border Region of Ireland and Northern Ireland for the PEACE IV Programme ran from 28 August until 20 November 2012. Almost 1,000 people attended these consultation events.

Once drafting of the Operational Programme has concluded a second public consultation process will be held in late 2013 and will invite all stakeholders to offer their views on the draft Programme.

It is anticipated that the draft Operational Programmes for PEACE IV will be presented to the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government in early 2014. Formal submission to the EU Commission will take place following the agreement of the two Governments.

Significant progress was made by the Irish Presidency on the Cohesion Legislative Package. However, negotiations are continuing with the Council and European Parliament to finalise the package. Until such time as agreement is reached, operational programmes cannot be agreed with the European Commission.