Dublin, Monday, 15th April 2002
Bríd Rodgers, MLA, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland and Frank Fahey TD, Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources today announced funding of €4.66m to support cross-border fishing and aquaculture co-operation projects. 75% of the funding will be provided under the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border region 2000-2004 (PEACE II). The two Governments will provide the balance.
The overall objective of the Peace and Reconciliation Programme is to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and to promote reconciliation by increasing economic development and employment, promoting urban and rural regeneration, developing cross-border co-operation and extending social inclusion.
The Programme covers Northern Ireland and the counties of Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim Louth, Monaghan and Sligo. The type of activities which will be considered for support are outlined in the attached appendix.
The Fisheries Measure, which is being launched today, will provide a strategic framework for support to organisations involved in the development of fisheries and aquaculture. It is aimed at projects which have a clearly defined cross-border focus and which will assist in maximising opportunities available within a stable environment.
The two Ministers welcomed the opportunity for their Departments to build on the collaborative approach of the first PEACE Programme, which supported an extensive number of cross-border projects.
Ends
· Requests for proposals for funding will be advertised in the near future.
· Full Details are available at www.eugrants.org.
Information Note for Editors follows
Activities which will be considered for support under
the Cross-Border Fishing and Aquaculture Measure
· Support, by way of the provision of technical, environmental, financial and marketing assistance to proposed and existing aquaculture and related fisheries enterprises in the cross-border and Northern Ireland region so as to ensure balanced sustainable development
· Support to business, public bodies, social partner organisations and voluntary and community sector co-operation strategies and projects, especially those linked to the economic renewal and the social, economic and political transition themes of the Programme where these are relevant to the development of the aquaculture and fisheries sector
· Projects relating to maintaining and enhancing quality in fish and fishery products as well as demonstration and pilot projects
· It is envisaged that some of the existing projects which are judged to be highly successful in meeting the overall objectives of the Peace Programme may be extended and improved by better focused Programmes
For further information, please contact:
Tony Bass
Media & Communications Manager
Department of the Marine and Natural Resources
Leeson Lane
Dublin 2
Tel: +353-(0)1-619-9471
Fax: +353-(0)1-676-6161
Or
Tom Mc Loughlin
Press Officer
Department of the Marine and Natural Resources
Leeson Lane
Dublin 2
Tel: +353-(0)1-619-9662
Fax: +353-(0)1-676-6161