Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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648. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues he discussed at the most recent North-South Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7092/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The most recent meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in plenary format was held in Armagh on Friday 11 December 2015. This was the 21^stPlenary meeting of the NSMC.

At the meeting Ministers discussed the Fresh StartAgreement and the work to be undertaken by officials to review North South infrastructure projects. The Council also welcomed the commitment in Fresh Start to tackle paramilitarism, criminality and organised crime and to bring to justice those involved in it.

Discussions covered a wide range of financial, economic and EU matters including the economic challenges faced in both jurisdictions and the work being taken forward to promote economic growth and employment. The importance of tourism, trade, investment and of supporting companies in accessing overseas markets was recognised. Ministers also discussed the Progress Report prepared by the NSMC Joint Secretaries on the work of the North South Bodies and in the other NSMC areas for co-operation since the preceding Plenary meeting on 5 June 2015 in Dublin Castle.

The Council welcomed that the EU INTERREG VA funding programme has now opened for funding calls and noted that the PEACE IV Programme was recently adopted by the European Commission. It was noted that discussions are continuing to take place at NSMC Sectoral meetings on collaboration to draw down EU funding and the Council was encouraged by the work that has been undertaken to identify funding opportunities across various EU Funding Programmes. In particular, Ministers welcomed the focus on Horizon 2020, EU LIFE, Connecting Europe Facility, ERASMUS+ and Creative Europe. These discussions will continue throughout the next round of NSMC meetings.

The Council noted that under the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme, €29.67m has been secured in the first year for 22 joint projects involving both jurisdictions and also noted the work of InterTradeIreland and the All-Island Steering Group in raising awareness of this €80bn EU programme.

The Council welcomed the commitment of the Government to provide €2.5 million in funding to a North West Development Fund to support the North West Gateway Initiative which will be complemented by matching funding from the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Council noted the continued engagement between officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister with relevant stakeholders in the region regarding the direction and priorities for the future development of the North West.

The Council further noted the work by Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council to produce a collaborative framework aimed at placing cross-border co-operation on a more formal basis within local government structures.

The Government and the Northern Ireland Executive reiterated their commitment to a meeting of Ministers from both jurisdictions to take place in the North West region to consider the strategic approach to the development of the region.

The Council noted the position on the development of new priorities for North/South cooperation and the ongoing review of Work Programmes at Sectoral meetings. The current position on setting up a North South Consultative Forum as envisaged in the Good Friday Agreement was also noted.

The Council approved the appointment of Chairpersons, Vice Chairpersons and members to the Boards of the North South Implementation Bodies and Directors of Tourism Ireland Limited. Ministers expressed their appreciation for the work of outgoing Board members.

The Council also approved a schedule of NSMC meetings proposed by the Joint Secretariat, including the next NSMC Plenary meeting in June 2016.