Brendan Smith presses for central border focus in NDP
Brendan Smith urged prioritisation of the central border area within the National Development Plan and the shared island fund, citing impacts from Brexit and the pandemic. He called for targeted projects and highlighted the Kilka Lakelands, UNESCO, Global Geopark and local initiatives to boost the region's economy.
National Development Plan inclusion
The Deputy welcomed a substantial chapter in the National Development Plan on a shared island, noting specific commitments for cross-border and all‑Ireland infrastructure development and service delivery.
Central border area challenges
He stressed that the central border area - including Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh and Tyrone - is predominantly driven by small and medium enterprises and faces particular challenges due to Brexit and the pandemic, and therefore needs a fair drawdown from the shared island fund.
Geopark and local projects
He highlighted the Kilka Lakelands, UNESCO, Global Geopark and pressed for expansion of local attractions, including the cavern for Managh border, as essential initiatives to grow the economy of the central border area.
Government response and climate priorities
The Taoiseach replied that officials have been asked to examine the Geopark, to engage with the Deputy and that the government is open to projects, noting their value in areas such as climate change and biodiversity and in the ongoing dialogue series.
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I very much welcome the substantial chapter in the national development plan on a shared island. There are specific commitments made there both for cross-border and all Ireland projects, both in the area of infrastructure development and also in the delivery of services. Could I say, Taoiseach, also in the NDP, it references the fact that the central border area, its economy is predominantly driven by small and medium enterprises. The last day that we discussed the shared island at Taoiseach's questions, I mentioned about the needs of the central border area, Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh and into Tyrone as well. I think there needs to be particular focus to ensure that we get a fair drawdown for the shared island fund because those counties, both north and south, face particular challenges due to Brexit. There is well documented through research and also from the pandemic that we haven't seen the downside of yet. So Taoiseach, I would be very anxious that particular projects in the central border area would be given priority and I am glad that in the NDP mention is made of the Kilka Lakelands, UNESCO, Global Geopark and the potential to develop such other projects. As you know, I discussed with you along with councillors the need to expand that particular park and the cavern for Managh border and it is that type of initiative that is essential if we are to grow the economy of the central border area. First question from Deputy Brendan Smith in respect of the central border area and the need for the shared island fund to focus in on that area. I know the Deputy has spoken to me in relation to the Geopark and again I have asked my officials to look at that and to engage with the Deputy and we are open for projects and I think in that area of climate change, of biodiversity, this would add value to the dialogue series that we have already had on biodiversity and climate change. So it is very much in the arena of initiatives that have been undertaken by the unit working with local interests in that cavern for Managh area and indeed across the general central border area that the Deputy so consistently raises. S��osh intğu v остр vQué v v v v v v v v v v v
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