Important Role for Ireland’s Regions in the EU Highlighted in new Publication - 6th September 2010

Mr. Gerry Finn, Director of the BMW Regional Assembly has welcomed the publication of the Association of Irish Region’s Guide to “The European Union at Regional and Local Level in Ireland” which was launched in European Union House Dublin by Mr. John Gormley TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.  Welcoming the publication, Mr. Finn stated that it provides a comprehensive overview of local and regional engagement with the European Union and of the EU’s contribution to a wide range of local and regional initiatives in Ireland.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Gormley acknowledged the deep connections and inter-dependencies between the EU and Regional and Local Authorities from both policy and legislative perspectives.  The Minister stated that the publication provides a valuable source of information on the opportunities that Ireland’s membership of the EU provides. He also emphasised that the continued engagement of local and regional interests in the EU policymaking process will be hugely beneficial.

Minister Gormley stated that the Irish experience of Structural and Cohesion funding had been very positive and that the funding had been used effectively to co-finance national investment in transport and environmental infrastructure, education, enterprise development, innovation and R&D.  Minister Gormley praised the role played by both the BMW and Southern and Eastern Regional Assemblies in the management of the co-funded investment programmes since 1999.

Speaking on behalf of the Association of Irish Regions, Councillor Jim Holloway highlighted “the positive effects that Ireland’s membership of the European Union have had on our country, our economy, our society and our systems of government, especially at local and regional levels”.  Councillor Holloway stated that Ireland’s Local and Regional Authorities are key stakeholders in the policymaking process and already play a significant role in ensuring that Ireland is a fully active, engaged and reliable member of the Union. Councillor Holloway also stated that Irish Regional and Local Authorities are significant implementers of EU policies in areas such as waste management and water quality improvement and many are partners in EU inter-regional co-operation projects.

The publication provides examples of projects and initiatives undertaken by each of the eight Regional Authorities in Ireland and gives an overview of the achievements of the Regional Operational Programmes, overseen by the Regional Assemblies for the BMW and Southern and Eastern Regions.