1. Cross Border Local Authority Cooperation 20th June 2017 Pamela Arthurs, East Border Region

2. Ireland/N Ireland Border Area
1970’s:
High Unemployment
Weak Infrastructure, roads/telecommunications
No inward investment
No Tourism
Lack of Highly skilled workforce
Irish Economy ‘sick man of Europe’

3. Political situation 1970’s Almost 500 people lost lives 1972 alone
Border roads closed
Border checkpoints
Continuous unrest
Fear and mistrust – both communities
‘ not conducive to cross border cooperation’

4. Local Authority Cross Border Cooperation
Elected members realised:-
‘back to back’ development not working.
Areas of common concern
Strength in working together
The Border area - more disadvantaged on both sides
Considered a new approach which was to work together for the common good.

5. Local Authority Cross Border Cooperation
Result:
1976: East Border Region Committee
4 Local Authorities 2 ROI 2NI
Aim: to promote cross border economic development which benefits all of the people of the cross border region.
Visionary – first cross border political organisation.
Daunting – Irish politicians feared crossing the border to attend meetings.
Innovative

6. Challenges
‘Back in the early 1970,s there was literally no cooperation at any level, political or otherwise.. I didn’t know any of the Cllrs in Omeath( ROI ) despite the fact that I could literally look out my front door and see Omeath.’ Jim Mc Cart, former Councillor Warrenpoint, N Ireland
‘You must remember that the actual border per se had a very strong physical presence.. It was a very hard time to work cross border.’ Eddie Mc Grady, former MP

8. East Border Region 1980’s Genuinely cross border Comprising:-
Elected member all political parties in the Local Authorities
Senior officials from Local Authorities
Meetings rotated across the border
Chairman rotated north/south annually
Cross border Issues raised Roads, Rail, Tourism, Agriculture, Fishing, Telecommunications

9. 1980’s
Local Authorities
Trust and relationships – elected members and officials developed
Cllrs and officials became familiar with differences across the border
Cllrs and officials – cross border working – practical. Eg Roads
New areas of common concern emerged.
Common work plans were developed
Realisation that strength in working together

10. Challenges for Local Authorities
Political situation was on going
Cross Border cooperation was not popular
Unionist community in N Ireland fearful
Both Dublin and Belfast governments not supportive
No finance for cross border activity/ workplans could not be implemented.
East Border Region financed by Local Authorities but they had very little money.
Local Authorities different responsibilities.

11. INTERREG Funding 1989
First time outside finance available for cross border activity
EU funding encouraged LA’s to be more outward looking - share and learn from colleagues in other areas - AEBR
Realised that the Irl/N Ireland border area suffers similar problems to other border regions in Europe
One advantage – same language.

12. Peace Funding 1990’s Unique to Ireland/ N Ireland
EU recognition of special circumstances
Promote cross border, cross community reconciliation and social inclusion.
Complement INTERREG – focus on Cross Border Economic Development
Substantial funding to the region from both programmes
€469m

13. EU Territorial Cooperation Programmes
PEACE and INTERREG enabled the transformation of the Irl/N Ireland border area.
Local Authorities at the forefront of cross border Economic Development.
By 2017 all political parties involved in activity – recognise benefit to everyone
Funded projects contribute to the Ireland/ N Ireland Peace Process
European Union
‘constant backdrop to
cross border cooperation
since 1976’

14. Local Authority Co operation enhanced
EU funding established the Border Corridor necklace, 3 distinct groupings with same goals
East Border Region 1976
ICBAN
NWRCBG
Local Authorities along the Irish border could collaborate as a corridor.
Stronger voice – Border Corridor 1million people

16. STRATEGIC ALLIANCE BETWEEN NEWRY,MOURNE & DOWN DISTRICT COUNCIL AND THE LOUTH LOCAL AUTHORITIES
2006
2009
2010
The sustained engagement through joint-studies, workshops, training and engaging policy and technical expertise led to a MOU for Cooperation in March 2011.
Launched in Brussels – hailed as a ‘first in Europe’ NewryMourne/Louth leading the way.
2011 16

17. Memorandum of Understanding
To promote, strengthen and stimulate the social, cultural and economic links within and between the peoples of the region.
To provide an enabling framework to promote the region more effectively for inward investment and open up further opportunities for the sharing of services and co-ordinated management of key resources.
To consolidate the long established working relationships between the parties, positioning them on a strategic long term footing and with outward looking focus, and
To co-ordinate core functions and to enhance leadership position of the local authorities within the cross border region, thus bolstering their influencing and co-ordinating role for the benefit of the entire community.

18. EU Funded Projects

19. Infrastructure
N.I. Science Park

20. Infrastructure
Newry – Dundalk Road

21. Economic Development
Highlanes Gallery

22. Economic Development
The Bright Room

23. Biodiversity/Greenways
Environment
Biodiversity/Greenways

24. Energy

25. The Peace Bridge

26. Brexit
Referendum 23rd June 2016 game changer for cross border cooperation.
Ireland/ N Ireland Border will be most impacted by Brexit
Immediate key issues for border: 2016
A frontier between UK and EU
Negotiations on Brexit between London and EU, not Stormont
Border area not a UK priority ( Common Travel Area)
No agreed position in N Ireland (currently no government)
Most affected by ‘Hard Border’
Irish border counties disadvantaged – Exchange rate losses

27. Local Authorities response
Over 40 years cooperation must be protected.
Local Authorities have agreed to collaborate
EBR/MOU facilitated a ‘ border corridor response’
Local authorities on both sides of the border commissioned a report on the impact of Brexit on the Border Corridor.
Key difficulty; planning in uncertain environment but necessary to champion needs of the corridor.
First draft completed early 2017

29. Local Authorities Irl/ N Ireland
Preparing for Brexit despite the uncertainty!
Lobbying Dublin/Belfast/Westminister/Brussels
Outlining possible solutions
Raising the profile of the Border Corridor
Highlighting the needs of border communities
Reinforcing the fact that border should remain ‘seamless’
2 key principles for Local Authorities
- No economic border
- Protect the Peace Process
Any border detrimental for those who live and work in the border region.