§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which proportions of the funding between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Irish Republic for the Cross-Border Implementation Service have been altered over the past four years; how and why; who took these decisions; and on what basis. [HL2662]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe proportionality of funding between the UK Government and the Irish Government for each of the North/South Implementation Bodies is determined on the basis of assessed benefit to each jurisdiction from their activities. The relevant contribution rates were initially determined at the time the bodies were established, and have been subject to annual review thereafter. The proportionality has been altered for two out of the six bodies over the past four years as a result of the ongoing review process, with all changes being subject to ministerial agreement in accordance with established procedures. Details are set out in the table below.
43WA
Changes to Proportionality Funding of North/South Implementation Bodies from 2000 to 2003
North/South Implementation Body Year % Split (North:South)
Foyle, Carlingford & Irish Lights 2000 30:70 Commission (FCILC) 2001 30:70 2002 50:50 2003 50:50 Special EU Programmes Body 2000 20:80 (SEUPB) 2001 55:45 2002 50:50 2003 55:45
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
How long North/South Implementation Bodies can continue to exist under the Belfast agreement without the existence of a Northern Ireland Assembly. [HL2888]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe bodies continue to exist in the expectation of the resumption of devolution in Northern Ireland and the restoration of the Assembly.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is meant by the expression "not to introduce any new policies" in the area of Cross-Border Implementation Bodies in the statement of clarification by the two governments in response to certain concerns regarding the agreement of 19 November 2002. [HL2920]
§ Lord Williams of MostynAs indicated in the statement of clarification by the two governments in response to certain concerns regarding the agreement of 19 November 2002, the British and Irish Governments intended only to pursue the policies and actions already agreed in the North/South Ministerial Council.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
On what date were the recommendations for the 2003–05 budgets for all the implementation bodies approved by the North/South Ministerial Council under the exchange of notes arrangement (Cm 5708). [HL2936]
§ Lord Williams of MostynMinisters approved the recommendations for the 2003–05 budgets under the exchange of notes arrangements on the dates shown in the table below.
Implementation Body Date of Approval Waterways Ireland 24 February 2003 Trade & Business Development Body 25 February 2003 Language Body 26 February 2003 Food Safety Promotion Body 27 February 2003 Special EU Programmes Body 6 March 2003 FCILC 11 March 2003