19. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will ensure that the new national development plan sets an enhanced level of ambition for collaborative cross-Border public investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39837/25]

Sentiment score: 0.13

The different cross-Border programmes have been important since they were first initiated by then Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, in the mid-1990s. There were the PEACE I and PEACE II programmes and INTERREG programmes. As the Minister, Deputy Chambers, will be aware, the PEACEPLUS programme is very important for all the Border counties, north and south of the Border. I am particularly anxious that we build on the great potential of the PEACEPLUS programme and I hope the Minister will be able to implement even more collaboration and co-operation on an all-Ireland basis in future programmes.

Sentiment score: 0.51

I thank the Minister sincerely for his reply and the particular interest he always has in cross-Border projects. It is heartening that the shared island initiative has been warmly welcomed by people of all political traditions. Different projects I have been involved in, if they have been cross-Border projects, have been funded by the shared island fund, such as the UNESCO Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark. I had the opportunity recently to meet the Minister, Deputy Calleary, and Ms Gina McIntyre, the CEO responsible for the PEACEPLUS programme. The programme is being rolled out successfully and there are great plans to expand it. The funding allocated by the Irish Government, the British Government and the European Union is being put to good use for communities right along the Border. They are communities that need investment as they have suffered particular disadvantage. The programme is also building on the potential of advancing different projects on a cross-Border basis that would not be initiated on either side of the Border if the cross-Border dimension did not exist. I welcome the Minister's commitment to enhancing and even intensifying these projects on an all-Ireland, cross-Border basis.

Sentiment score: 0.42

I warmly welcome the Minister's comments and his confirmation of his Department's co-operation with the Special EU Programme Body. In all my dealings with it over the years, Ms McIntyre and her colleagues have ensured that the best value is given to the taxpayer for the major investment that has occurred and that particularly disadvantaged communities benefit from that investment.

Sentiment score: 0.80