28/05/2012

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt has given a broad welcome to the Executive’s European Priorities for 2012-13 published today, but questions the lack of an implementation plan, SMART targets, and the tangible value of the Barroso Taskforce.

Mr Nesbitt, who is also Chair of the Asembly’s OFMDFM Committee, said:

“The Ulster Unionist Party welcomes the Executive’s European Priorities for 2012-13. It has been broadly accepted that in recent years the Northern Ireland Executive was disengaged from Europe and has not fully utilised the funding opportunities that have been available. Over the next few years it will be crucial that Northern Ireland actively engages with the European institutions as the on-going negotiations in the EU budget 2014-20, CAP reform, CFP Reform and Structural Funds reform all come to a conclusion. Structural Funds alone are vital to rebalancing our economy.

"That is why we welcome the Executive’s on-going commitment to increase its EU funding uptake by 20%, in addition to strengthening European support infrastructure within Departments.

"However, it has not gone unnoticed that while many national and regional leaders visit Brussels on a regular basis, the last visit by the First or deputy First Minister to Brussels was in 2010. In addition the Executive has been sending Ministers to Brussels when MEPs are sitting in Strasbourg. Securing a Taskforce under the name of the President of the EU was a coup, but many are now wondering what actual added value has resulted. European support is critical but it must take the form of concrete support.

"In the future Northern Ireland undoubtedly will be eligible for less funding than currently exists, as more EU funding is diverted to the accession states in the east. That makes it all the more important than ever before that we engage all levels, particularly through our MEPs and officials in Brussels, in order to secure future European success.”