Ex-Ante Evaluation and Development Strategy

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2.12 Co-operation with Northern Ireland

Co-operation with Northern Ireland has been placed on a new footing under the provisions of the Multi-Party Agreement reached in Belfast on 10 April 1998. In this regard, the North- South provisions of the Multi-Party Agreement provide for the setting up of a North-South Ministerial Council and outlines a new institutional framework and context within which co-operation between the two parts of the Island are to be taken forward. The agreement thus paves the way for closer and more co-ordinated action between the relevant authorities in both jurisdictions which will have the effect of maximising the benefits of proposed investment to their respective economies and delivering real improvements for the people of both parts of the Island but, most particularly, for those living in the Border Counties. Reflecting the importance both jurisdictions attach to making progress in this area, North-South Co-operation is identified as a strategic priority in the Community Support Frameworks for both Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The economies in both parts of the Island have changed dramatically over the past decade. In particular, their improved economic performance is reflected in the headline labour market indicators with unemployment now registering below the EU 15 average rate in both parts of the Island. Convergence to EU standards has been such that, under the 2000-2006 round of EU Structural funds, Northern Ireland and the S & E Region of Ireland no longer qualify for full Objective 1 status. However, this level of improvement in relation to Northern Ireland masks some of the sub-regional and local disparities, in particular, the lower level of development and the lower rate of social and economic growth in areas immediately adjacent to the Border and also the western part of Northern Ireland. It is generally recognised that these areas in Northern Ireland and, similarly, the Border Counties in the South, represent some of the most socially disadvantaged areas in both parts of the Island and that their potential to develop as inclusive and vibrant communities has been significantly handicapped due to the manner in which the Border has constrained their development potential. For these reasons, a particular emphasis will be given to the needs of those areas immediately contiguous to the Border in the allocations of funds under this OP. In addition, projects having a North-South dimension involving communities and enterprises outside of the immediate Border areas will be particularly encouraged that these communities can also contribute to, participate in and benefit from the economic, social, recreational and cultural opportunities arising from the new beginning signalled in the British-Irish Act, 1999, and in the institutional arrangements arising from it.

During the previous round of Structural Funds, progress in cross-Border co-operation was significant and points up the potential for real inter-action between the two economies in the future. Significant developments have been effected at the level of local authorities, non-governmental organisations, the voluntary, community and business sectors and by central government and, in many cases, these sectors have been directly involved in implementing EU Programmes. Networks of County Councils on both sides of the Border have produced cross-Border integrated plans for their areas. The main employer and trade union organisations North and South have also produced joint papers on developing North-South and East-West co-operation within a European context. Equally the major farming organisations commissioned a report on the current position of farming on both sides of the Border.

While specific EU Programmes (e.g. Interreg, Peace and Reconciliation) and other initiatives (e.g. International Fund for Ireland) have contributed significantly to cross-Border co-operation and understanding, there is a need now for an increasing focus on the benefits which can flow from greater co-ordination of national investment generally in contiguous areas on both sides of the Border.

Investment under the OP for the BMW Region can be an enabling factor which facilitates greater co-operation and involvement between communities and enterprise on both sides of the Border and can support economic and social regeneration in these areas. In addition, it can support and underpin increased co-operation between the authorities in both jurisdictions. Such investment can also contribute to greater understanding between both communities and also greater social cohesion. To ensure that the benefits of investment under the BMW OP are maximised for these communities, the potential for North South co-operation will be one of the considerations to be taken into account in relation to investment decisions under the OP and will be integrated into the project selection criteria for appropriate Measures.

The investment proposed under the BMW Regional OP will complement the significant investment proposed under the Inter-Regional OPs along with the contribution from the Peace OP and Community Initiatives. (Details in relation to the contribution of the Inter-Regional OPs to North South co-operation are set out in the respective OPs.) Each of the Priorities (Sub-Programmes) of the Regional OP will make a unique and significant contribution to social and economic development in the Border Region and to North/South Co-operation generally.

Under the Local Infrastructure Priority, improvements in Non-National Roads will ease commuting for business, economic and social reasons between towns and villages on both sides of the Border while also providing access to the National Primary Road Network for these communities. In environmental services, there are opportunities for co-operation between both jurisdictions, in particular, co-ordination in the provision of infrastructure in order to avoid duplication and over capacity. Investment in e-commerce and advanced communications infrastructure and services, making broad-band communications available more widely in the Region and in Border areas, will facilitate greater interaction between business and consumer in those areas, will promote social inclusion, and will remove some of the disadvantages of peripherality for those living in these areas. The Border areas will also benefit from improvements in transport and access infrastructure, e.g. seaports and regional airports. Investment in cultural, heritage and recreational facilities will provide additional amenities for the communities living in these areas while at the same time making them more attractive as places to visit. Investment in Inland Waterways provides a significant opportunity for institutional co-operation in that this investment will be administered by one of the new Implementation Bodies established under the British-Irish Act, 1999.

Under the Local Enterprise Development Priority, there are significant opportunities to foster greater co-operation between businesses North and South. Significant in this regard is the establishment of the Trade and Business Development Body, a cross-Border implementation body which offers a new opportunity for supporting the development of enterprise and trade on a North/South basis. Contributing to this, the micro-enterprise Measures under this priority will support and foster the development of mutually beneficial link-ups and alliances between firms in the BMW Region and in Northern Ireland. Within the tourism sector the branding of Tourism Ireland is already in place and operates on an all Island basis. In addition, under the BMW Regional OP a particular focus of the Tourism Measures will be the development of clusters of attractions in less developed areas such as the North-West and the Border areas. There are also opportunities for co-operation and development under the Forestry Measure and especially for third level institutions under the Regional Innovation Strategy Measure. Finally, the Aquaculture and Marine Matters Body provides an institutional framework for co-operation in respect of the Fishery Harbours, Gaeltacht/Island Harbours and Aquaculture Measure.

Under the Good Friday Agreement, agriculture was identified as one of the six areas for North/South co-operation. Arising from this, the role of the existing Steering Group on Cross-Border Rural Development will examine the scope for a common approach to the feasibility of developing cross-Border area-based strategies and rural development research. Both of these types of Measures have been specifically provided for in the Agriculture and Rural Development Priority.

Under the Social Inclusion and Childcare Priority most of the projects are community based and locality specific. However, under this Priority there are clearly opportunities for fostering links between disadvantaged communities on both sides of the Border. Experience under OPLURD has demonstrated the benefits of disadvantaged communities learning from each other and sharing experiences and resources. As such, the Local Development Measure and the Community Development Measures under this priority will provide funding for initiatives involving co-operation between such communities on a cross-Border basis. In addition youth exchanges have been identified as a key means of fostering greater social and cultural understanding between communities which is the first step to true reconciliation. In this regard, funding will be provided under the Youth Services Measures for exchange programmes aimed at fostering understanding between all communities on both sides of the Border. In addition, in the areas of childcare and equality, funding will be made available for innovative projects and initiatives which have a cross-Border dimension. Significantly there are already in place cross-Border childcare networks which can be further developed under the current programme.

Greater detail on areas of co-operation and indicative levels of investment within the OP contributing to such co-operation will be set out at Measure and Sub-measure level in the programme complement. At this stage, a minimum sum of € 300 million for North-South Co-operation has been identified within the total NDP allocation. A minimum sum of € 100 million has also been identified within Northern Ireland for North-South Co-operation. However, at the first meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council Special EU Programmes Sector on 16 June, 2000, the Ministers agreed that the existing joint text in the Community Support Framework should be strengthened further by the inclusion of the following additional text:

The European Commission and the Authorities of Ireland and Northern Ireland emphasise that the provision of € 400 million for North/South Co-operation is a minimum and all parties are committed to optimising the level of, and accompanying investment in, North/South co-operation. This objective will be kept under specific and continual review both in the development and implementation of the Operational Programmes North and South and by the EU Programmes Body in the ongoing discharge of its responsibility in this area.

Having regard to this commitment, it is intended that, within the Programme Complements for the BMW Regional OP, the potential for North South co-operation will be clearly identified and that indicative allocations for projects contributing to North-South co-operation will also be identified. In addition, the Special EU Programmes Body will be a member of the Monitoring Committee for the BMW Regional Operational Programme.

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