FEBRUARY 2006

Inishowen set to benefit from Scots Co-operation programme

An IRDL initiative to bring new funds to Inishowen and Donegal has taken its most important step forward to date. The Initiative, which has been led and co-ordinated by Andrew Ward at IRDL in Carndonagh, has taken the peninsula and the county to the very heart of the European Union's planning for the next decade.

The result is that a formal Irish-Scots Co-operation Programme is now being worked out through the European Relations Committee at the Scottish Parliament. The importance of this Scots-Irish Link up could be one of the most important Irish European initiatives taken for years. If successful, the new co-operation approach could bring major economic benefits to Donegal's most disadvantaged and deprived areas, and help them to rebuild on all the hard work being done to promote businesses, tourism and general community improvements.

Mr Ward said that if Ireland, Scotland and Northern Ireland could apply together so that resources and funding could be maximised, Donegal in particular would get far greater support than if trying to seek funding and support on its own. Andrew's initial hard work throughout 2005 included going over to meet Scottish Executive officials, Members of the Scottish Parliament from all parties, and a Government Minister, which have proved to be crucial.

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