Brendan Smith Calls for Swift Rollout of Peace Plus Programme
Brendan Smith urged the minister to ensure there is no delay in putting the Peace Plus programme in place, saying it must be operational as soon as possible. He welcomed the draft programme and the committed funding of more than 1.1 billion euro, and pressed for assurance on its timely delivery.
Historical context
Brendan Smith recalled that 28 years ago Albert Reynolds and John Major signed the Downing Street Declaration, a step that was central to negotiating the Good Friday Agreement. He noted that Peace I, established in 1995, and successor peace-funded programmes have supported economic, social, educational and community developments, particularly in less advantaged areas in Northern Ireland and the border region.
Peace Plus funding and status
The deputy acknowledged the draft Peace Plus programme has been finalised with committed funding valued at 1.145 billion euro and approved by the Irish Government. He highlighted that the next formal step is submission of the draft programme to the European Commission for consideration and final approval.
Calls for timely implementation
Brendan Smith emphasised the need for the inclusive and ambitious Peace Plus programme to be up and operational as soon as possible to ensure the continuation of cross-border projects. He noted those projects are led by local authorities, statutory agencies and communities and stressed the importance of avoiding delays.
Implementation partners and timeline
The minister confirmed the department has responsibility for rollout on behalf of the Irish Government and is working with the Northern Executive, the UK Government and the special EU programmes body. A formal launch was expected likely in the spring of 2022, with funding starting to flow under Peace Plus over the course of 2022.
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This day, 28 years ago, Albert Reynolds and John Major signed the Downing Street Declaration. That agreement was central to the successful negotiation of the Good Friday Agreement, which brought peace to our country. And every community on this island continues to benefit from that agreement. Following on from the Downing Street Declaration, the first peace-funded programme, namely Peace I, was established in 1995. Peace I and Successor programmes have enabled much-needed economic, social, educational and community developments, particularly in less advantaged areas in Northern Ireland and the border region. Minister, you will recall my ongoing representations regarding the need to put in place as soon as possible the Peace Plus programme. And I appreciate your role in having the draft programme finalised with committed funding of more than 1.1 billion euro. We need this inclusive and ambitious programme up and operational as soon as possible to ensure the continuation of very valuable cross-border projects led by our local authorities, other statutory agencies and communities. So, Minister, could you give me an assurance that there will be no delay in having the programme finally put in place? Thank you Deputy Smith for raising the issue and thank you also for your ongoing representations in support of the development of the Peace Plus programme. As you say, my department has responsibility on the part of the Irish Government for the rollout of this programme, working with the Northern Executive, the UK Government, of course, the special EU programmes body. We have a very exciting programme at a value of 1.145 billion euro, which has been approved by the Irish Government. And the next step now is for the draft programme to be submitted to the European Commission for its consideration and final approval. And I expect that a formal launch will then take place likely in the spring of 2022 and the funding will start to flow under the various programmes under Peace Plus over the course of 2022. So, thank you for your support again.
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