Local Infrastructure Priority (Sub-Programme)

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4.7 Co-operation with Northern Ireland

The Local Infrastructure Priority in the BMW Region has the potential to contribute significantly to the promotion of North/South co-operation over the term of the Plan. In the non-national roads area there has been considerable co-operation between road authorities both in Ireland and Northern Ireland in connection with the re-opening of cross-border roads and in the selection of projects under Border Interreg and the Peace Programme in the 1994-1999 period. This co-operation will continue through the Special EU Programmes Body which will be responsible for the Peace Programme and Border Interreg and which will liaise directly with the relevant Local Authorities in this regard. Insofar, as the EU Co-Financed Specific Improvement Grants Scheme is concerned, having regard to the types of schemes eligible under the Measure, Local Authorities, particularly those in the Border Counties, will be asked to have regard to the possibilities of enhanced North/South Co-operation and to consult with the relevant Northern Authorities where this is appropriate.

There is also substantial scope for co-operation in the waste management sector and, it is anticipated that North/South developments in this sector can be arranged through collaboration between authorities on both sides. Co-operation can be pursued in a number of ways, including co-ordination in the provision of infrastructure in order to avoid duplication and overcapacity, adoption of joint approaches to the management of certain classes of waste and agreement on arrangements for the movement of waste between both jurisdictions.

The Urban and Village Renewal Measure, while impacting on North/South co-operation in a less direct way, will also promote greater interaction. In general, this Measure will concentrate on the physical improvement of towns and villages throughout the BMW Region and will not involve a North/South element per se. However, infrastructural improvements in these areas will have a beneficial effect for tourists visiting the Region, including those from Northern Ireland. Moreover, Local authorities, in drawing up their Urban and Village Renewal Strategy documents, will be requested to consider any opportunities which would further North/South co-operation.

Under the e-commerce Measure, the grant-assisted investment in communications and e-commerce infrastructure and services under the Measure will facilitate greater North-South co-operation. In terms of implementation, the scope for North-South co-operation will principally rest with information and communications operators co-ordinating the activities for which they are seeking assistance in both the North and South.

The amenities supported under the Sports and Recreation Facilities Sub-measure will be available to all users for competition or training purposes under the auspices of the various National Governing Bodies of Sport (the majority of which operate on an all-Ireland basis) and their affiliated clubs, and, in the case of leisure facilities, to members of the public generally.

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