MEP calls for maximum EU aid for Causeway project
12 June 2008
In welcoming the National Trust’s proposal for a public project at the Giant’s Causeway, Traditional Unionist MEP, Jim Allister, has called on DETI to row in with maximum support from the EU. Commenting Mr Allister said, “At the height of the controversy over a public versus private venture at the Causeway I established that a public project could avail of double the EU funding of a private project (http://www.jimallister.eu/default.asp?blogID=781). Now that the National Trust has come up with a definitive public proposal it is incumbent on DETI to maximise the draw-down of available EU funds.
“This public project could attract EU support of up to 75% of total project costs, if it was to proceed under the Territorial Co-operation Programme. Alternatively, and perhaps more likely, it could qualify for EU support under the Competitiveness Programme which attracts a maximum of 50% EU funding. Any EU funding would need to be found from within the total EU funding allocated to NI for the period 2007-13, but since it is still early days in this financial perspective there is time to prioritise spending on the Causeway."
“Given that the Causeway is our greatest national asset, I believe it deserves such priority. There would also be the possibility of using some of the windfall money coming to Northern Ireland under the legislation distributing money from UK dormant bank accounts. That funding, according to a commitment from DFP (http://www.jimallister.eu/default.asp?blogID=886), will be spent on signature projects which meet "social or environmental purposes". The National Trust proposal should easily fit the bill.”
