merrion street

Speaking today at an informal meeting of Cohesion Ministers in Cyprus, Minister Brendan Howlin said the Irish Government strongly believes that membership of the European Union is vital to Ireland’s ongoing recovery and to its future. "Our forthcoming Presidency of the Council of Ministers will give Ireland an opportunity to demonstrate that we are a constructive and committed Member State that belongs at the very heart of the European decision-making process", he said. "We believe that we can help to address the problems that the Union faces, and we look forward to working closely with our partners to ensuring that the Union emerges from the crisis stronger."

The Minister said the main strategic priority for Ireland's Presidency would be to get the EU economy growing again, through boosting competitiveness and creating jobs. "The key issues to be addressed will be restoring economic stability, promoting jobs and growth, and putting in place a budget to provide stability beyond 2013."

"We want our Presidency to be viewed as fair, honest and businesslike, with a focus on results", said Howlin. "We will work closely and cooperatively with all our partners and the EU institutions to move the EU agenda constructively forward through consensus. This approach has served Ireland and the EU well in the past, and we will seek to replicate it in 2013."

The Minister said that Cohesion spending lies at the very heart of the growth agenda and will be one of the primary instruments available to the Union to drive investment and to promote growth and jobs in the years ahead. It is an important instrument in addressing the economic and social disparities among 27 Member States across 271 regions.

"The Irish experience of Cohesion Policy has been very positive, and Structural and Cohesion funds have played an important role in the development of Ireland’s economy. The financial transfers from the EU Budget remain important levers available to Member States to bring about change and encourage development in the Regions."

The Minister said that a unique feature of Cohesion policy in Ireland has been the support provided by the EU to successive cross-border PEACE programmes. "I think that everyone will acknowledge the important contribution that the PEACE programmes have made to supporting reconciliation and the creation of a shared society in Northern Ireland as well as addressing the legacy of the troubles. I very much hope that it will be possible to have a successor to the current programme when it expires."