THE JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND
No. 6 Spring 2011
Cover illustration: ‘The Road to the West’ by John Luke. Picture used courtesy of Ulster Museum and the John Luke Estate.
The Centre for Cross Border Studies is part-financed by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund through the EU INTERREG IVA Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 1
The staff of the Centre for Cross Border Studies. From left to right: Andy Pollak, Ruth Taillon, Joseph Shiels, Annmarie O'Kane, Eimear Donnelly, Sebastian Rihm (intern), Mairead Hughes, Patricia McAllister, John Driscoll (Director of ICLRD).
CONTENTS
A word from the chairman 05 Chris Gibson
‘We need to be big and generous towards each other’: 13 interview on North-South cooperation with the NI Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MP MLA
By-passed places? The post-Belfast Agreement Border 25 Region Economy John Bradley and Michael Best
Keeping up with the neighbours: Human Rights protection, 45 North and South, since the Belfast Agreement Michael Farrell
The Dublin-Belfast rail line: the need for a better service to 59 lower North-South economic barriers Edgar Morgenroth
Food Security and Health on the island of Ireland: 71 are we sleepwalking into a crisis? Jane Wilde
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 3 SǾnderjylland-Schleswig: from conflict to cooperation in the 87 Danish-German Border Region Martin Klatt
Cooperation Ireland: remaining relevant in a difficult 99 recessionary age Mary Minihan
Index of Journal articles, 2006-2011 112
INFORMATION ABOUT THE CENTRE FOR CROSS BORDER STUDIES 115
INICCO projects 123
Universities Ireland 131
SCoTENS 142
International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) 146
Past research projects 157
Conferences 164
What they say 169
Extracts from the Centre’s 2009-2010 Financial Statements 177
Contact details 179
The views expressed in this journal are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Special EU Programmes Body or the European Commission.
4 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 A WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Chris Gibson OBE
This will be my sixth and last foreword to an edition of the Journal of Cross Border Studies in Ireland, since I intend to stand down as chairman in the next few months. It has been my pleasure to be chairman of the Centre for Cross Border Studies for the past 11 and a half years and see the Centre grow from very small beginnings into an organisation with an unrivalled Chris Gibson reputation for the kind of practical cross-border cooperation research and development work that leads to better understanding between the peoples of the two parts of Ireland. Under Andy Pollak’s leadership it has led the way in research, information, training, networking and management support projects in the North-South and cross-border cooperation field, with a well-recognised ability to bring to fruition high-class research projects, run major conferences and organise cross-border exchanges, thus promoting what we have in common on this small island on the edge of Europe.
There are many single issue offices in Armagh, greatly enhanced by organisations also contributing to the wide range of academic and other greater mutual understanding on this contributors who are associated with island. But I believe the Centre for our work. Long may it continue under Cross Border Studies has made and will the new chair, Helen Johnston of the continue to make a unique contribution National Economic and Social Council to the difficult task of blending as many in Dublin, who is originally from of them as possible into the complex County Antrim. social, economic and cultural mix which reflects the realities of life in Ireland 2010-2011 was another extremely busy today. A clear feature of this work is year for the Centre. In summary, we the Centre’s philosophy of building carried out and supported research, partnerships to enable future progress information, training, networking, across the Irish border in a wide range management and scholarship projects of areas. We now have an impressive in the following areas: the border region range of skills in the staff in the Centre’s economy, cross-border spatial planning,
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 5 cross-border hospital services, cross- the second project, the Cross-border border mobility information, cross-border Spatial Planning and Training Network impact assessment, cross-border (CroSPlaN), which has brought together postgraduate and teacher education, local councillors, officials, business cross-border rail services, cross-border and community leaders in the border training in Europe and Irish universities’ region to learn about planning in the two cooperation with Africa. jurisdictions and how they might use their planning powers (or future planning All five research, training and information powers) to work more closely together. projects funded by EU INTERREG Executive training courses were IVA (managed by the Special EU completed in the Newry-Dundalk and Programmes Body) under the omnibus Derry-Letterkenny regions. The first of title INICCO (Ireland/Northern Ireland these, following on from a 2009 ICLRD Cross-border Cooperation Observatory) report on this ‘twin city’ region, has led were up and going during this period. to an unprecedented Memorandum The first of these is a study of the of Understanding between Newry and economy of the Irish border region by Mourne District Council and Louth a high-powered team led by Professor Local Authorities to work together on Michael Best of the University of selected environmental, energy, tourism Massachusetts – an international and regeneration projects, which will be authority on business strategies in many signed in Brussels at the beginning of regions of the world – and Dr John March 2011. Bradley, formerly a research professor at the Economic and Social Research The third EU-funded project is a two- Institute in Dublin. There is an article by part study of the potential of cross- Professor Best and Dr Bradley detailing border hospital services. Deputy director their emerging findings in this journal. Ruth Taillon completed a study of the role of community participation in The Centre’s ‘sister’ organisation, hospital planning in the border region. the International Centre for Local and The consultancy firm Horwath Bastow Regional Development (ICLRD), heads Charleton has continued to work on a
6 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 prototype modelling tool for hospital cross-border cooperation and impact planning in selected specialties on a assessment. cross-border and all-island basis. Dr Beck sent the Centre its first intern. The Border People cross-border 24-year-old Sebastian Rihm, who is mobility information website went from taking a Masters in European Public strength to strength. A user survey Administration degree at the Universities conducted with Indecon Economic of Ludwigsburg and Kehl in Germany. Consultants in the summer of 2010 Sebastian worked in Armagh for six found that 92% of respondents ‘agreed’ months on the Pilot Impact Assessment or ‘strongly agreed’ that Border People Toolkit and during that time made a very is an ‘important and valuable resource’ valuable contribution to the evolving for people living in the border region. work of that project. We wish him well in At a seminar in Dublin in November, his future career. international lawyer and EU labour mobility expert John Handoll called During the year the Centre also the website an ‘essential tool’ and ‘a organised two successful meetings of first port of call for those seeking to its North/South Research Forum, which understand their rights.’ brings together researchers, policy- makers and funders interested in North- The fifth EU-funded project is the South and cross-border cooperation. development of a Pilot Impact The first of these, in Dundalk, was Assessment Toolkit for cross-border on ‘Cross-Border Innovation and cooperation in Ireland. This highly Creativity’ with speakers on health innovative project – in European as well technologies, economic development as Irish terms – began in early summer and energy efficiency. The second, in 2010 in collaboration with Dr Joachim Belfast, was on ‘The Future of Public Beck, Director of the Euro-Institute at Sector Cross-Border Cooperation in a Kehl, near Strasbourg, and an advisor Difficult Financial Climate’ with two of to the European Commission on the island’s leading economists, Pat McArdle and Victor Hewitt.
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 7 Busy all-island networks by Universities Ireland and two firms, ESB and Dublin Port. Four academics The three all-island higher education facing threats to their liberty and life in networks managed by the Centre Iran, Iraq and Burma were hosted at were equally busy in 2010-2011. Irish universities for a year under the Universities Ireland continued its work international Scholars at Risk network through three principal projects: the (for which Universities Ireland is the Irish-African Partnership for Research Irish Section). Capacity Building (IAP); the North/South Postgraduate Scholarship scheme; and The Standing Conference on Teacher the Irish Section of the Scholars at Education North and South (SCoTENS) Risk programme. continues to be probably the Centre’s most vibrant and transformative all- The final two Irish-African Partnership island network, with 61 cross-border events were held in Zomba (Malawi) research projects funded in the past and Belfast. The first of these, in March eight years (15 more applications were 2010, was in the form of a ‘summer received in January 2011) and 14 school’ at which senior Irish and African published reports. An eighth annual researchers and research staff worked international conference in Belfast together on research management, in October 2010 on the subject research funding, ICT and human ‘Teacher Education for Inclusion’ resource issues – evaluation feedback was addressed by one of Britain’s from participants showed that it was outstanding educationalists, Sir the most successful IAP event to date. Tim Brighouse, the former Schools The culminating project conference Commissioner for London, and Renato at Queen’s University at the end of Opertti from UNESCO. The Centre also September 2010, was addressed runs its longest running educational by leading figures in the world of exchange, the North/South Student international development such as the Teacher Exchange (started in 2002) former Irish president Dr Mary Robinson, under SCoTENS auspices (with 167 the Chief Executive of Concern participating student teachers to date). Worldwide, Tom Arnold, and the former head of Tony Blair’s Commission for Professor Malcolm Skilbeck, a noted Africa, Myles Wickstead. It was attended international authority on higher by 110 academics from Ireland, North education (and formerly Deputy Director and South, Malawi, Mozambique, for Education of the OECD), wrote Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, South an article in the Irish Independent in Africa, England, Canada and Belgium. December 2010 in which he paid tribute to the pioneering work of both Five more students crossed the Universities Ireland and SCoTENS – border to do postgraduate degrees in both driven by the ‘energetic Armagh- universities in the other Irish jurisdiction based Centre for Cross Border assisted by scholarships provided jointly Studies’ – and stressed the continuing
8 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 importance of the educational dimension meeting in spring 2011. This is a good in the process of peace and cross- example of the Centre identifying a border cooperation in Ireland. cross-border public policy problem (in this case the inadequacies of the The third network the Centre manages ‘Enterprise’ service); holding stakeholder is the International Centre for Local seminars to discuss it; compiling a and Regional Development (ICLRD), cogent and accessible report; and which brings together university-based making sure key senior policy-makers spatial planners from the International receive and read it – all of this leading Institute for Urban Development in to the issue being raised and seriously Cambridge, Massachusetts (and discussed at high policy level through formerly from Harvard University), the North South Ministerial Council University of Ulster, National University structures. of Ireland Maynooth and CCBS. In the past year it has published reports on Another new initiative was the first planning reform, ‘functional territories’ meeting of a new network Transfrontier and sustainable communities across Euro-Institute Network (TEIN) in Kehl on Ireland, and international comparative the German-French border in October studies of cross-jurisdictional planning in 2010. This new network, funded by Switzerland and the USA; held a highly the EU Leonardo programme, brings successful sixth annual international together institutes and centres of conference in Sligo in January 2011, cross-border or transfrontier studies and launched the first edition of a new from 10 countries (or 11, depending on journal: Borderlands: The Journal of the definition of a country!): Germany, Spatial Planning in Ireland. France, Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, New departures the French Caribbean and Ireland, North and South. The partners will A new departure last year was a work for the next two years to initiate series of seminars on the present the development of a training and circumstances and future prospects certification system for cross-border for the Belfast-Dublin rail service, training in Europe, particularly for people attended by regular users, interested working in public administration. business leaders and the two operating companies, Irish Rail and Translink. As in previous years. director Andy This led to a paper to the Minister for Pollak, has continued his outreach Transport in the South and the Minister activities at home and abroad. Highlights for Regional Development in the North, of the past year included addressing which was discussed at a North South a Sinn Fein conference on Irish unity Ministerial Council transport sectoral in London (at which he urged greater meeting in October 2010, and to which cross-community and cross-border the operating companies will formally cooperation rather than moves towards respond at the next transport sectoral unity); chairing a session of an all-island
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 9 conference on young people and politics 2009 annual report, Reflective Practice: at University College Dublin; addressing Challenges for Teacher Education a conference on cooperation across North and South). In January 2011 a the Austrian-Italian-Slovene border; new International Centre for Local and addressing the annual conference of Regional Development research journal, the Association of European Border Borderlands: The Journal of Spatial Regions; and chairing a session at a Planning in Ireland, was launched at the high-level conference on European ICLRD’s annual conference in Sligo. cross-border cooperation in Strasbourg. Overall it was a good year, and one in Andy also continued his own research which the Centre was not too adversely work in the educational field, with affected by the clouds of financial a report for the Irish Department crisis looming on both sides of the Irish of Education and Skills and the NI border. The effects of the economic Department of Education on cross- maelstrom which has hit the developed border cooperation in education world in recent years – and which between 2005 and 2010, with Ireland has suffered from more than special attention being paid to most – will be with us for some time to teacher qualifications and exchanges; come. It is essential that we weather educational under-achievement; this storm and use the opportunity it education for children with special presents fundamentally to change some needs; and school, youth and teacher of the ways in which we live and work exchanges. This was well received as Irish people, making them more fit by senior officials both departments for the 21st century and for the younger who are carrying out a review of their people who will follow us in this work cooperation and funding in this area. for the good of the island we love. I know that Andy will thank many other There were a number of high profile people in this journal. I would like to journals and reports published by the express my admiration both to him Centre and its ‘sister’ bodies during and his colleagues in Armagh, and my the past 12 months. The 2010 Journal gratitude for the great support that the of Cross Border Studies in Ireland board of the Centre for Cross Border was launched by the then Minister for Studies – and in particular vice-chairman Foreign Affairs (now leader of Fianna Pauric Travers – have given me since Fail), Micheál Martin, in April, and we started on this adventure together there was widespread press coverage in September 1999. I wish them all of the interview it carried with the continued success in the future. then Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, on North-South cooperation. In October SCoTENS published a report on Valuing Once again, the Centre has to thank a Education Technology in Schools, long list of financial supporters, partners North and South, by leading ICT in and advertisers. First and foremost education experts John Anderson and is the Special EU Programmes Body. Roger Austin (along with the SCoTENS Without the generous support from
10 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 the EU INTERREG IVA programme, Financial and other support for the managed through the SEUPB, the Centre’s associated organisations Centre would simply not be able to do – Universities Ireland, the Standing its work. The SEUPB is living testimony Conference on Teacher Education to the European Union’s huge solidarity North and South (SCoTENS) and the with Ireland and Northern Ireland as the International Centre for Local and island continues to work to find ways Regional Development (ICLRD) – has of sustaining its remarkable rise out of again come from the nine universities, the ashes of 30 years of conflict. The the 34 teacher education providers, Irish Department of Education and Skills the Northern Ireland Department for continues to fund the Centre despite Employment and Learning, the NI severe financial constraints, a tribute Department of Education, the Irish to its continuing commitment to the Department of Education and Skills, vital role education plays in building the Higher Education Authority, cooperation and mutual understanding InterTradeIreland, the NI Department across this island. for Regional Development, the Irish
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We would also like to express A specially warm ‘thank you’ to our our gratitude to the various other friend and colleague, John Driscoll, organisations which have partnered the gentle and indefatigable American the Centre over the past 12 months: who is director of the ICLRD, and his notably our sponsoring institutions, assistant directors, Caroline Creamer Queen's University Belfast, Dublin City of NUI Maynooth and Dr Neale Blair of University and the Workers Educational University of Ulster. Association (NI); the North South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat, Again we have to thank our advertisers, with special thanks to Mary Bunting many of them cross-border bodies and the South's new Joint Secretary or companies themselves, who have Anne Barringon (until last summer faithfully supported this Journal in recent Ireland’s ambassador to Tanzania); years, and have advertised again this the Department of the Taoiseach; the year. They are Safefood, Tourism Ireland, nine universities, with particular thanks InterTradeIreland, Weber Shandwick, to the current Universities Ireland Cooperation Ireland, Armagh City Hotel chairman, Professor John Hegarty, (Mooney Hotel Group), the Loughs Provost of Trinity College Dublin; Agency, the Institute of Public Health in the nine colleges of education and Ireland, FPM Chartered Accountants, 25 other institutional subscribers to Michael Campbell Photography and SCoTENS, with particular gratitude Leslie Stannage Design (who design all to the SCoTENS co-chairs, Dr Tom the Centre’s publications and reports). Hesketh, Director of the Regional New advertisers this year are Armagh Training Unit in Belfast, and Professor City and District Council, the Grand Teresa O’Doherty of Mary Immaculate Hotel, Malahide, the EURES Cross- College, Limerick; and the institutions Border Partnership, John McMahon and which make up the International Centre Co, and McCusker Pro-Audio. for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD): the Institute for International Urban Development in Cambridge, Massachusetts; the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis (NIRSA)
12 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 WE NEED TO BE BIG AND GENEROUS TOWARDS EACH OTHER: INTERVIEW ON NORTH-SOUTH COOPERATION WITH THE NI DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER, MARTIN McGUINNESS MP MLA
Martin McGuinness MP MLA
Would you agree that North-South cooperation has been one of the success stories of the Northern Ireland peace process? What do you think are its major achievements since the Good Friday Agreement?
I do absolutely agree that North-South cooperation has Martin McGuinness made a major contribution to peace. The North South Ministerial Council, the power-sharing government in the North and the East/West institutions are obviously the foundation stones of the Good Friday Agreement, and it’s vitally important that all of those relationships are developed. These institutions, first established in December 1999, struggled through a very difficult period until October 2002 when they collapsed. Then we effectively had a desert from 2002 until 2007. But I think the fact that they were restored in 2007 and they have been worked without interruption in the course of nearly four years is a major success story.
There’s no doubt that the big success then Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern and his story of the North-South relationship Ministers. At the press conference has been the the comfortable afterwards Ian Paisley talked – I thought position that all Ministers now find very powerfully – about the need to themselves in at North South Ministerial end the old divisions, to bring down Council meetings, and the important barriers, and the need for all of us relationships that are being built on an to work together. That was a huge ongoing basis. I always refer to the first encouragement to me and to anybody meeting of the NSMC in December listening to his remarks at that time. I 1999, when Ian Paisley and I led our worked with him for a period of a year Ministers from the North to meet the in the office of First Minister and Deputy
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 13 First Minister and participated with do things together in terms of shared him in further meetings of North South cross-border services and how we can Ministerial Council. That clearly showed use them to deliver for the people we everybody on this island, no matter what represent. So overall I think it’s been their political persuasion, that where huge success. there was mutual benefit to be brought to the people of the island that it was What have been the main challenges our bounden duty as Ministers to to cooperation between North and work together. South in recent years?
As I’ve said to my own people in The main obstacle to be overcome for Sinn Fein, at the very outset of this me was the building of relationships relationship with the DUP I forecast between Ministers and officials North that the first term would be difficult and South so that they can work and rocky, and that the true value of together on a consistent basis. Because the institutions – the power-sharing a lot of the good things that can flow Executive, the North South Ministerial from human contact between Ministers Council and the East-West relationships comes from an acceptance that if there – would only really be properly assessed is mutual benefit to be gained then we in the second term of the Assembly, have a responsibility to work together. which will come after the elections due The big difficulty obviously is that the to be held in a couple of months time. Ministers who represent Sinn Fein and the SDLP are quite comfortable with So I think North-South cooperation has that type of working, but they are also been very important. Some of the North/ very conscious of the concerns within South institutions have been resounding those departments that have DUP and successes: Tourism Ireland, for example, Ulster Unionist Ministers – although and InterTradeIreland. We’ve seen more the concern is more in the minds of trade than ever before in the history the unionist Ministers than in their of the Northern and Southern states, departments. with people from all over the island collaborating on plans and projects to Their concern is that to further develop bring employment to the people. That, North-South cooperation is something of course, has been impacted by the that undermines the Union. However recession of the past two years. But a very strong case can be made that you still have IBEC and CBI working working across the border for mutual very closely and comfortably together benefit will allow us to make huge and regularly inviting Ministers from savings in terms of other monies that North and South to address them. can be put to proper use helping our And you have economists North and citizens, North and South, and that South arguing – as the Taoiseach did can be done without undermining the at the North South Ministerial Council allegiance that unionists would have today [21 January 2011] – that all of us to what they call the United Kingdom. should consistently look at how we can But I’m conscious that we could be
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explore www. armagh.co.uk making much more progress if we had have to travel to Galway or Dublin for a situation where unionist Ministers treatment. Now we have an agreement recognised that there could be that that a radiotherapy unit will be built considerable gains for their departments at Altnagelvin. and the people they represent if they were to seriously examine how These are two examples of essential further benefits might be achieved by cross-border services that should working on a cross-border basis with make sense to everybody. Then there departments in the South without any is economic development and spatial way damaging their constitutional planning – all of these things could be position. Obviously, it’s not a view I tackled in a way that removes the border share but it’s one that I recognise as as an obstacle to social, economic and presenting a problem for them. political development.
Are there particular areas of North- How do you work in this area with South cooperation you think you DUP Ministers who obviously might might be able to persuade unionists prefer that there is as little North- to move into in the future? South cooperation as possible?
There are a range of issues where the The downside to all of this is that every border damages the building of social now and again you will hear a Unionist relationships and economic prospects. politician talk about the absolute need For example much more could be done to do away with the North/South in education. We have this phenomenon institutions. I think you can show where families have moved from Derry citizens – and it doesn’t matter what City to County Donegal and then a political persuasion they are – that gains furore happens in some Derry schools can be made through North-South because children wanting to attend cooperation that can really improve their them are born and reared in Donegal lives, and that people will go along with even though their families originally that. What it requires is leadership; what come from Derry and their grannies live it requires is facing down those people in Derry and are part of a childminding who would like to turn us back to the process after school. Then a row can bad old days. develop because those children aren’t being educated in the North. I think In a recent Irish News column that’s crazy. Breidge Gadd expressed frustration that North-South cooperation Then there’s the issue of health. We’ve was being forgotten about by the had this debate about the establishment politicians in Northern Ireland.Do of a radiotherapy unit in Altnagelvin you share her frustration? hospital in Derry. We have a ludicrous situation where people with cancer I think it’s wrong to say that it’s forgotten from Donegal and Derry have to travel about because it’s a major priority for to Belfast, and people from Donegal my party and has been for a very long
16 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 The Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, with Andy Pollak and Ruth Taillon, director and deputy director (research) at the Centre for Cross Border Studies. time. And to be fair that’s also true for workstreams and structures that happen the SDLP, while they may not be as under the NSMC might have had a forward as we are in terms of where we rocky beginning, we can all go from need to go in North-South cooperation. strength to strength if we encourage I’m an Irish republican, and I would love people to think in new ways which will to be living in a united Ireland tomorrow improve their performance as Ministers morning. And I’m determined as an and bring about an engagement with Irish republican to bring about a free their counterparts in Dublin to deliver and independent republic. That said, shared services that can be shown we do have a situation where there is to citizens to be of enormous value a difficulty because of consistent fears to everyone without compromising unionist Ministers have looking over anyone’s political allegiances. their shoulders because of the negative elements in Unionism. It was relatively easy to argue for greater cooperation with a dynamic Some Ministers on the unionist side Republic of Ireland during the are not prepared to go as far as they good years of the Celtic Tiger. How need to go in being willing to show can you persuade unionists that it real savings by working together makes sense now, with the South so across the border and then ensuring deeply mired in financial crisis? that the savings accrued as a result are put into other worthwhile projects I actually think it’s all the more imperative that improve the lives of people. This is that we do it now. It’s like people saying going to be a process: while the North to Peter Robinson and I two years ago: South Ministerial Council and all the ‘What are you going to America for?
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 17 America’s not going to invest in the qualified people to look at the benefits North.’ We went to America and we that would accrue to all the people saw companies like Universal and HBO, of Ireland, North and South, through and a result of us convincing them to shared health services. Disappointingly come to the North, for the past year or he has refused to publish that over so 6-700 people have been employed at recent times. I think a very compelling the Paint Hall in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter case can be made that if we work making firstly a feature-length movie together for the provision of those and then a TV series for HBO with every services on a shared, cross-border prospect of further series to come. You basis we will actually provide a far better also have 400 people working for the health service for our citizens. I don’t New York Stock Exchange in the North. think our citizens, when they go into hospital – whether they’re Protestants Similarly on the North-South strand, or Catholics or non-believers, whether what we need to do is make the they’re unionists or loyalists, nationalists argument that even at a time of or republicans – worry one jot about recession what people think is not political allegiance. doable is eminently doable, and there are opportunities to be gained from Any there any other public North-South cooperation. So even services which can be delivered though the South is facing a huge more effectively – and even more economic crisis, and we face our own cost-effectively – on a cross- economic crisis insofaras we have a border basis? Tory-led administration in London which has reneged on commitments made Tourism is one area. Tourism Ireland, a by the previous administration and North/South body, is charged with the withdrawn £4 billion from our budget responsibility of marketing Ireland on over the next number of years, we have an international basis. However I think to see those as challenges that we have the tourist organisations here in Ireland, to rise to. So there is an argument for North and South, need to work much people to intensify the working together more closely together than they do at across the border rather than accepting the moment. the argument that because there are economic difficulties that’s something I also believe that local councils along that should not be contemplated. I don’t the border need to be working much buy that at all. more closely together. It’s a bit like the development of the North South How can North-South cooperation Ministerial Council – where people can help the two parts of Ireland come see actual benefits for citizens from such out of recession? cross-border work, then the argument for continuing it can be won. The same I’ll give you an example. I am conscious is true at local council level. Having said that Michael McGimpsey is presently that, we could do it an awful lot holding a report that was done by very more quickly.
18 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 In terms of growing the economy, I think If the power to fix our own corporation that is the next big thing to be taken tax were to be given to the Executive, on board, because the potential for that would make a very dramatic change economic development, and particularly to our FDI prospects. And the DUP and export-led development to help us grow Sinn Fein are agreed on that. out of recession, is huge. It is ludicrous having the IDA and Invest Northern There are also some sporting and Ireland competing against one another. cultural services which could be better But that brings you into a whole new provided on a cross-border basis. There debate around corporation tax and the are two separate Sports Councils which fact that we don’t have a level playing contain many individual sporting bodies pitch, North and South. We have that are organised on an all-island basis, majored on that in the course of this so there are savings to be made there. term of the Assembly, and we are now CCBS advertin consultation 200902 for print.pdfPage with the 1 06/02/2009 British Treasury. 16:07:32
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JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 19 Is there a danger of both politicians I give the Irish people much more credit and people in the South turning in than those who would suggest that they on themselves during this period of would turn in on themselves. Because financial crisis and forgetting about whilst a percentage of the people might the peace that was so hard won be tempted to do that, I think that in the North, and more specifically people all over this island have a huge the importance of the North-South appreciation of the changes that have strand of that process? taken place over the course of the last 10-12 years since these institutions I think there is always a danger of people were established, and people don’t being complacent as we have seen in ever again want to see the situation slip the course of recent times. There are back to where there is an isolationist still people out there who believe that approach in the North and this the best way to go forward is to plunge psychological barrier between North us all back into conflict again. And of and South. course there are people out there in the more extreme unionist political parties, I believe that the vast majority of people, for example the party led by Jim Allister, North and South, want to see politicians who believe that the power sharing working together, building civilised executive in the North and the North/ relationships with one another, and South institutions should be destroyed, cooperating in a positive, and effectively argue for a return to constructive way. unionist and majority rule. We also faced new challenges in the course of recent What do you hope to see coming out times, not least the killing of two soldiers of the current review of the work of in Antrim, and the killing of policeman North/South Bodies? Is it not time Stephen Carroll last year. I think the that this was published? fact that Peter Robinson and I stood together in a very united way against People who watch what is happening that sent a very powerful message to know that the obstacles to that review our own people on the island of Ireland being published do not reside with Sinn and to the international community, that Fein. We are very much in favour of we were politicians who were absolutely further developing and strengthening determined to move forward and not to relationships on a North-South basis. go back. The fact is that we are part of institutions that require the assent of everyone, and If people in the South do turn in on the search for solutions, not the exercise themselves, is there anything that of vetoes, is the secret ingredient Sinn Fein, as an all-island party and for moving forward. And on a lot of one that will probably have a bigger occasions we have done that. representation in the Dail after the coming election, can do to prevent There are some issues that still have that happening? to be overcome. For example a major case in point was the whole issue of
20 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 the transfer of powers over policing facing the administrations, North and and justice, where some people said it South, against the backdrop of the huge would never happen, and some people difficulties the planet is facing around clearly didn’t want it to happen, and the need to discover, exploit and store some people made predictions that it renewable energy. I would make this would be many years before it could argument not only in the context of our even be contemplated. But because need to work on a North-South basis, we knuckled down on that issue in the but also in the context of needing to course of the discussions that took work with other regions as well, like place at Hillsborough Castle in the early Scotland and Wales, and others within part of last year, we found a solution, our ambit of responsibility. So it’s not as we have found solutions to so many just that we want to do this on an all other issues. island basis – in the future we could be exporting energy to Europe, Those issues include agreeing two for example. budgets. We agreed the first budget with Ian Paisley, during his time in the Other areas where the NSMC remit Office of First and Deputy First Minister, could be expanded are promoting and we have now agreed a draft budget. innovation, research and development; We were told the first budget would spatial planning; dealing with emergency never happen, and then, when it did issues like the recent water shortages happen, that it would never last – well, during which Louth supplied water it did last. The SDLP said this time to Newry and Mourne; the technical ‘they might agree a budget, but it will management of flood plains (very only be for a year’. Well, we agreed a relevant in counties like Fermanagh budget and it’s for four years. So we and Cavan); joint public procurement; have confounded all of them, and I think waste disposal; an all-island sex it is quite clear that if we continue to offenders register; and national centres build relationships and continue to work of excellence in research areas like together in a very cordial and civilised health and engineering, so that instead way, there are no boundaries to what of experts being spread across the Irish we can achieve. universities they can be concentrated in one university on the island so that you Would you like to see the North could actually grow industries out of that South Ministerial Council’s remit university on a cluster basis. The key is being extended in the future to to develop a flexible approach to cross- include other areas of North South border and all-Ireland working, to ensure cooperation other than those agreed that we make the most of opportunities in the Good Friday and the Saint that arise, opportunities that will deliver Andrews Agreements? real change in people’s lives.
I would like to see that. I think a major What is your vision of the ‘island of case in point is the issue of energy and Ireland’ economy in the next renewables. There are major challenges 10 – 15 years?
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 21 Obviously getting through the recession How will that fit in to what is happening is going to be a huge challenge for all in the North? To be fair, in our recent of us. Some of the predictions from discussions on the budget with the economists in terms of our ability to do Democratic Unionist Party, what has that in the next short while fluctuate from again been under-estimated by the being mildly optimistic to being hugely media is that at the end of those pessimistic, so I think that developing deliberations there is going to be an an all-island economy is eminently in agreed budget, and it’s going to go the interests of the citizens who live on through the Assembly. And what I take the island of Ireland. I think the biggest heart from is that during the course break on what we are trying to do is of those discussions, we agreed with the political psychology of those who the DUP that the development of our see the development of an all-island economy is still a major priority. But that economy as something to be feared. We priority must be set against a backdrop have to consistently challenge ourselves of recognising our responsibilities to to see how we can develop an all-island protect front line services and to protect economy in ways that can benefit the the most vulnerable and the most people that we represent. disadvantaged within our society. So it is clear that there is common ground Now I am an Irish republican, and very between us and the DUP in terms labour-oriented. I do believe that there of the need to ensure that as we go is a huge responsibility on governments forward we develop an economy that is to protect the most vulnerable and delivering for everyone and not just for disadvantaged in our society, and that the rich. essentially means us recognising that we live on an island where there is a What do you make of Martin very small proportion of people who Mansergh’s statement that barriers control the vast bulk of wealth. There to North-South cooperation have are some people who are rich beyond never been lower, and that the Irish anybody’s wildest dreams, and that is government should concentrate to the disadvantage of the vast majority on continuing to lower these rather of citizens, particularly in working class than to press any claims for Irish areas. I am conscious that there are unity at a time when its overriding many political tendencies on the island: priority is to get the Irish economy ourselves and the Unionist parties in out of its present crisis? the North, and Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Sinn Fein in the I do agree with the first part of that. South. The forthcoming election in the Huge progress has been made and the South could be a watershed election.I peace process has changed everything. think it is fair to predict that there will This was an island that had been in be a change of government, but there conflict for something like 800 years, is a very real prospect that coming and I think that the agreements that out of this election there could be a we have forged with the assistance of government in the South that doesn’t the American Government, the British include Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. Government and the Irish Government,
22 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 and most important of all the agreement We have agreed through the Good of political leaders like Gerry Adams and Friday Agreement that if the people of myself, Ian Paisley and Peter Robinson, the North decide that they want to end John Hume and Mark Durkin, David the link with Britain, then the British Trimble and Reg Empey, have totally Government is duty bound to legislate transformed the political situation. I for Irish unity. can now say with a good degree of confidence that we are never again However equally important is the work going to slip back into conflict in the we do in the intervening period: the North. This is a very big statement to personal relationships we build, the make, a very bold statement, but a very ability of the politicians to work confident statement, and I say it as an together North and South, to be civilised Irish republican whose raison d’etre is to and cordial with each other. Yes, to bring about the reunification of Ireland fight our corner at election time, but by peaceful and democratic means that whenever the people have spoken threaten nobody. to roll up our sleeves, and to do the
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JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 23 business on their behalf. And I am should he or she feel similarly annoyed hugely optimistic about the future – even about someone wearing a GAA jersey. in the face of the very severe economic situation that we face in the We need to move beyond old positions intervening period. and kneejerk reactions. We need to accept, respect and embrace diversity – So you don’t agree that the Irish to see the person behind the jersey. government should concentrate on solving its own crisis rather than We all need to be big and generous pressing any claims for Irish unity? towards each other.The example for all of that is Peter Robinson and I, Ian Whoever is elected in the South is Paisley and I, being able to go into an going to have to deal with the very office together and work together. grave economic circumstances that exist there. There is no running away The interviewer was Andy Pollak and from political realities and I respect the the interview took place in Armagh fact that whoever takes up those reigns on 21 January 2011 following the has a huge amount of work to do. But eleventh plenary meeting of the I think that we need to get away from North South Ministerial Council. people trying to criminalise the political aspiration for Irish unity.
And we need people to be big about all of this. I mean I am big enough to accept Peter Robinson as a unionist: his allegiance is to Westminster and to what he calls the United Kingdom. I don’t have any allegiance to that: my allegiance is to the people of Ireland – North and South – whether they be loyalist, unionist, nationalist or republican, and you know I represent all of them in my Mid-Ulster constituency. Up until 10 or 12 years ago, you would hardly ever have seen somebody from a GAA club walk through a street in Magherafelt or Cookstown wearing their club jersey. We see it now all the time, and there are people who walk past them now wearing Rangers jerseys. Let’s be big enough to accept it – it’s an Irishman wearing a Rangers jersey. That’s what he is, and why should I feel annoyed or angry about that, or why
24 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 BYPASSED PLACES? THE POST-BELFAST AGREEMENT BORDER REGION ECONOMY
John Bradley and Michael Best
Few Irish economists were interested in cross border issues in the decade preceding the 1998 Belfast/ Good Friday Agreement. For those who were, their investigations tended to focus on the aggregate behaviour of the two regional economies of the island.1 Of course there was some understanding that inside the two separate island jurisdictions there John Bradley was a considerable degree of economic and social heterogeneity. But to the extent that island issues came on political and economic agendas, they prioritised the desirability of normalising relations at a ‘national’ (i.e. Dublin-Belfast-London) level. Anything of relevance that went on inside each component economy, and particularly in the cross-border region, was left to a future, more settled period. Internal, sub-regional issues were not considered to be germane to the Michael Best overriding focus on normalising North-South relations. Indeed, they may even have been thought to be unhelpful and distracting barriers to the encouragement of island re-normalisation.
The success of the Belfast/Good makers, when facing into the challenge Friday Agreement in bringing an end of repairing the human, social and to widespread violence is widely economic ravages of three decades acknowledged and praised. Nobody of violence which had caused the questions that success and its crucial degrading of much of the Northern importance as a necessary precondition productive sector, with damaging for everything that followed in the wake spillovers for the Southern border of the Agreement. However, we can see counties. now with the aid of hindsight that the decade following the Agreement was After the Agreement was signed, the characterised by excessive optimism confident assertion was made that on the part of Northern policy makers, Northern Ireland plc was now ‘open often accompanied by a benign for business’. There was much talk passivity on the part of Southern policy of a ‘peace dividend’. Generous
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 25 reconstruction finance would be force and good infrastructure. But it forthcoming from the UK Treasury, from became clear that, in spite of their well Europe and from America. Foreign direct intentioned and supportive rhetoric, investment would flow in again, just foreign investors often took a more as it had in the decade that preceded jaundiced view of conditions in Northern the 1968 outbreak of violence. The Ireland, where the newly devolved underlying historical entrepreneurial power-sharing administration was very culture of Northern Ireland would slow to get working and even slower bounce back. Prosperity would to produce innovative programmes of trickle down automatically from the social cohesion and regional economic major urban centre of Belfast to more development and reconstruction. peripheral Northern border regions. In many ways the optimism in the air was There was peace, but the enduring similar to that of the newly liberalised and even increasing polarisation of states of Central and Eastern Europe communities into separate areas when they were released from the continued to cause complications for constraining shackles of Communism the evolution of sub-regional strategies and central planning in 1989. And the and for the smooth operation of the disillusion that followed in its wake was labour market. Northern Ireland plc may also similar, as the difficult challenges of have been ‘open for business’, but the renewal became manifest. quest for renewed, private sector-led prosperity was not without its problems “As in the past, so today: the real and difficult challenges. boundaries in Europe are not between countries but between prosperous New meanings after the crash urban centres and a neglected and impoverished rural hinterland” Tony It was in this context in the autumn Judt, 2005, Post War: A History of of 2009 that the opportunity arose to Europe Since 1945, pp. 687-688 carry out a research project that was specifically aimed at examining the The unfortunate reality was that as a economy of the border region, both result of three decades of violence, North and South. The project was the Northern Ireland economy had commissioned by the Centre for Cross become, and still remains, very directly Border Studies and funded under the dependent on the public sector, while INTERREG IVA programme by the much of its business sector had Special EU Programmes Body, and had become indirectly dependent on public been conceptualised in an slightly earlier, expenditure to sustain demand, as well more prosperous era. as being heavily reliant on subsidies and grants to keep it going. Some Its title (Normal Business Restored: inward investment did come in the reviving the border region economy in a decade after the Agreement, seeking to new era of devolved government) took benefit from Northern Ireland’s relatively on new, challenging meanings when the low cost base, well educated labour true horror of the post-2007 economic
26 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Michael Morrissey (second left) of Crossgar Food Services and Jason Hamilton (second right) of Crossgar Meats with NI Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, and chefs (see page 36). crash, North and South, became clear. needed to be carefully examined and After a decade of apparently strong understood. Nevertheless, the focus growth, GDP in Ireland fell by over of the new project was on the specific 7 per cent in 2009 and investment economy of the border region. In (GFCF) collapsed by over 30 per cent particular, we wished to examine the (see Table 1), contractions that were off productive aspects of that region, i.e. the scale of previous experience. The the characteristics and performance knock-on consequences of the IMF/ of the set of businesses that operated European Central Bank (ECB) bail-out, in the border counties; whether they with its imposed contractionary budgets behaved differently to other, non-border for the next four years, are not yet fully counties that otherwise shared many understood. But in the absence of a similar characteristics; and to what dramatic recovery of the world economy, extent was the presence of the now- growth in Ireland is likely to continue peaceful border a help or hindrance to to be very low. The impacts of the their activities? recession on the UK were less severe, but still forced the new Conservative- The project continues and is scheduled Liberal Democrat coalition into adopting for completion in the autumn of 2011. a very restrictive fiscal stance. The The research team includes Professor ‘island of Ireland’ economy, together Michael Best, an expert on business with wider external developments, strategy in many regions of the world formed the encompassing framework and author of two books on how for the border economy, and hence businesses and production processes
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 27 Table 1: Irish and UK growth rates of GDP and Investment (GFCF), post- Belfast Agreement
Year GDP-IE GDP-UK GFCF-IE GFCF-UK 1998 8.43 3.61 14.10 13.69 1999 10.90 3.47 13.55 2.96 2000 9.71 3.92 6.24 2.72 2001 5.70 2.46 0.24 2.59 2002 6.55 2.10 2.77 3.65 2003 4.41 2.81 6.46 1.08 2004 4.60 2.95 9.44 5.10 2005 6.02 2.17 14.85 2.44 2006 5.32 2.79 4.50 6.39 2007 5.63 2.68 2.83 7.84 2008 -3.55 -0.07 -14.26 -5.01 2009 -7.58 -4.99 -31.05 -15.13 2010 -0.22 1.81 -21.12 2.83 2011 0.93 2.18 -10.05 3.47 2012 1.94 2.52 -0.05 6.48 Source: Eurostat; 2010-2012 are projections
have evolved over the past century.2 In In this short article we take the an effort to try to identify specific factors opportunity to discuss some of the that influence economic development preliminary insights obtained from and renewal in border regions, we also work in progress. First, we say collaborated with experts from WARR, something about the ‘island’ context a regional development agency based of the research, and then move on to in Wroclaw, located near the southern describing our attempts to understand Polish-German border.Dr John Bradley’s the structure and characteristics of the area of expertise derived from two border region economy from an outside decades of international research into perspective, i.e. using official, published the role of EU regional development data sources. We then move to what policy (Structural Funds), and previous has turned out to be the most interesting experience with national-level research and surprising element of the project, on Irish and North-South issues. namely our efforts to communicate with
28 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 and learn from local policy makers and actors in the border region, and to try to see the border economy from an inside perspective. We conclude with some remarks on how our research has driven us to conclude that new and more relevant frameworks of analysis are urgently needed if the border region and its struggling economy is to be reincorporated into the mainstream of island business life.
The island context
We touched on the characteristics of the post Agreement Northern economy above. In some curious ways, the situation in the South has now become a kind of mirror image of the situation Professor Michael Best in front of a crane in the Walter Watson factory in Castlewellan in the North. The prosperity of the Southern economy is utterly dependent support. Northern Ireland, on the other on foreign direct investment, to an hand, is utterly dependent on continued extent that is unique within the EU, and support from the UK Exchequer, almost unique in the global economy. since its export-generating private Prosperity only came to the South in the sector is simply too small to pull it out 1990s, driven by a massive increase in of recession as the global economy inward investment, mainly from the USA. improves.
Unfortunately, like all quickly acquired Given the fraught political context wealth, most of it was dissipated during of the Belfast Agreement and the the following decade. The catastrophic radically different structure of the two private and public sector policy failures economies, North and South, it was of the past decade – in the areas of understandable that the institutions unsustainable property development, put in place by the Belfast Agreement lax fiscal policy and failure of bank were symbolic, weak and minimalist. regulation – do not need to be replayed There was never going to be any Irish here. Suffice it to say that the underlying equivalent of the European Coal and Southern development model has Steel Community that formed the first largely survived the recession and the step on the path to bringing Germany exports generated by the mainly foreign- into ever closer and co-operative owned firms serve to underpin whatever relations with France and other former hope the South has of emerging enemies from the Second World War. eventually from dependency on IMF and Clearly, there was no willingness to bring European Central Bank (ECB) financial about a meeting of minds between
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 29 the main state Development Agencies in much the same strategic situation on the island: the IDA and Enterprise since both are externally constrained: Ireland in the South and the Industrial Northern Ireland, as a region of the UK, Development Board and LEDU in the was never sovereign; the Republic of North (subsequently both replaced by Ireland has been forced to surrender Invest Northern Ireland). key elements of its already modest economic sovereignty to the IMF and Planning the renewal of the border the ECB. For the next decade growth region was left by central government initiatives must come from within rather mainly to local authorities, many of than without. This is the challenging whom were ill equipped to undertake context of the revival and renewal of the the task because of their small size and border region economy. their limited human and other resources. Consequently, there was never going to A problem of data be any fully integrated planning of island infrastructure, although some piecemeal Our first task was to define the region co-operation did take place. Indeed, the that constituted the ‘border’ region complex nature of the power-sharing economy. An obvious initial choice Executive in Northern Ireland made was to include only those counties that it more difficult, not less difficult, to included the border as part of their promote any radical rethinking of how boundary. This was made up of five the North fitted into the island economy Southern counties (Donegal, Leitrim, at a time when the other regions of Cavan, Monaghan and Louth) and the UK were beginning to carve out five Northern counties (Londonderry, new strategic postures relative to, but Tyrone, Fermanagh, Armagh and Down). remaining within, the United Kingdom. However Sligo shares no border with In the South, the true horror of the the North, but is always included in the economic catastrophe that was mainly official Border planning region by the self-inflicted gets worse, day by day. Central Statistics Office (CSO), Forfás, It is lucky that the modern, foreign- Enterprise Ireland and other agencies owned sector of manufacturing and because of its close proximity to the high-technology services, together with border. In the North, the unit of local agriculture, is still performing reasonably governance is not the county (as in well, because recovery is now the South). Rather it is at the level of dependent on buoyant external demand district councils, of which there are 26 in for exports at a time when domestic Northern Ireland as a whole, and seven demand will be depressed by fiscal which share the border as part of their cutbacks and higher taxes. In the North, boundary (Derry, Strabane, Omagh, the high expectations of the ‘peace Fermanagh, Dungannon, Armagh, and dividend’ have been dashed and future Newry and Mourne). growth is likely to be restricted as the UK Treasury is forced to cut back public If one wishes to get an overall idea of expenditure for the next few years. how the border counties are structured, Either way, the two economies are now one needs data that describe a wide
30 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 range of social and economic variables. this focus, we were not ignoring the Demographic, social, educational importance of the broader, socio- and historical data can be used to demographic picture. But we were understand many aspects of a region. asserting that the dynamism of the But in this project we were specifically existing regional productive base was interested in gaining an understanding the crucial driving force in any of the productive structure of the border successful and prosperous region. If region: what goods and services were regions such as the Irish border region produced there, and how? Were the are to prosper, other than by depending businesses modern or traditional, on transfers from other more developed expanding or contracting, high or low regions, then they must build on and productivity, locally or foreign owned? strengthen their productive base. And Were there clusters of similar activities? the existing productive base – good, Was the employed labour force high bad, or indifferent – is where you skilled or low skilled? In adopting must start.
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JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 31 It was at this stage that we came to But it is impossible to do this for the realise something very surprising. For Northern sub-regions. Nevertheless, the Southern economy the Central making use of all available official data, Statistics Office (CSO) gathers and our analysis suggested that the border publishes detailed sub-regional Irish region is internally very heterogeneous business data for the 26 counties. Using and that there are at least three broad that data, we know in some detail how, sub-divisions of the border economy, say, the economy of County Donegal with rather different production suffers from under development, characteristics. compared, say, to the more advanced economy of County Louth. North-East sub-region (Down and Louth) What we found in the case of Northern Ireland shocked us. There was Here one finds many examples of absolutely no effective effort made advanced manufacturing, in specialities to gather and publish these kinds of such as engineering, pharmaceuticals business data at a sub-regional level. and food processing, as well as Results from the UK-wide Annual evidence of specialised producer Business Inquiry (ABI) were published services in finance, accounting and for Northern Ireland as a whole, but not other areas. Our interpretation of for any of its sub-regions. And when these findings was that this segment we interviewed the relevant government of the border economy benefited from department, the Department of spillovers from the Dublin and Belfast Enterprise Trade and Investment in metropolitan ‘poles’ at either end of the Belfast, we were told by their analysts so called east coast ‘corridor’. and statisticians that nothing was being, nor would be done, to address this This was an issue that had been Northern gap in regional knowledge.3 explored during the 1990s, and what Of course the availability of good we see today is the realisation of sub-regional business data does not the benefits of a massively improved imply that national governments will transport and communication necessarily act on the information to infrastructure in a region of the island address regional disparities. But the that contains about one third of the absence of such data makes it very whole population.4 Here the border difficult, if not impossible, for policy seems to be a very minor inconvenience, makers to understand what the sub- dominated by the benefits of easy regional challenges are. access to large markets in the adjoining jurisdictions. Using officially published data, one can examine producer characteristics in Mid-border sub-region (Monaghan, the Southern border counties in terms Cavan, Leitrim, Fermanagh, Armagh of broad sectors: agriculture, building and South Tyrone) and construction, manufacturing, market services and the public sector. This is a heterogeneous sub-region,
32 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 At the Walter Watson plant in Castlewellan. From left to right: General Manager Trevor Scott, MD Walter Watson, MD designate David Barr and Professor Michael Best (see page 38). containing many examples of more resources available in the county itself traditional manufacturing, but also (e.g. seafood processing). The decline retaining traces of pre-partition of the clothing and textiles sector in specialities from an era when the Belfast Derry since the 1960s probably dragged growth pole of the late 19th and early down these sectors in Donegal as they 20th centuries was the main (indeed, became progressively uncompetitive. the only) industrial driving force on the An added negative factor was that island. The situation here was complex, the city of Derry has never played the and it was only when we moved to a role in its Donegal hinterland that it more detailed ‘insider’ perspective that might have played in the absence of we began to understand the history and any border. Take away Derry City and likely future potential of the region. Donegal becomes an ‘island’ completely peripheral to any large or even medium North-West sub-region (Donegal, sized urban centre. Sligo, Derry and North Tyrone) Looking at the border region from the In the case of Donegal, where we had outside, some key insights emerged the official CSO county data, what we that were obvious, but worth restating. saw was a county whose manufacturing First, the weakness of Irish regional sector was very underdeveloped. development policy in both Northern Indeed, looking at earlier CSO data Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has from the 1950s to the 1990s, it was left the border area ‘stranded’. Major clear that Donegal manufacturing infrastructural improvements have eased specialities either reflected those of Belfast-Dublin communication on the the adjoining Derry City region (e.g. east coast corridor, but not changed clothing and textiles) or were specific to much else in the border region. The
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 33 outward orientation of foreign-owned population of all business enterprises manufacturing at the national level to by county, to detect sectoral clusters in global markets has resulted in a skewed the border region, and even to study a north-south trade pattern consisting of a ’control’ non-border region to compare high proportion of traditional goods such it to a border region equivalent. as food products. The border policy fault line has placed constraints on the Our first step was to download details evolution of Northern manufacturing of all enterprises for each border county, that has resulted in a continuing British North and South. Within the collection of orientation of Northern manufactured all enterprises, which range from small exports. Consequently, the incentive retail outlets to large factories employing to locate plants in or near the border hundreds of workers, we selected the region is much diminished, other than sub-set of manufacturing enterprises in the part of the border contained (which include SIC codes 15-37). Finally, within the east coast corridor. Elsewhere we downloaded Galway and Mayo as in the border region, the structural control regions. We selected Galway characteristics of the less advanced as an example of a peripheral county border counties derive mainly from with large urban centre and significant their peripherality and low level of third-level educational establishments. urbanisation. We selected Mayo as an example of a peripheral county with no large urban With assistance from FAME centres and no third-level educational establishments. Official CSO data are useful for providing a ‘bird’s eye’ view of the Southern Once we began to examine the county- border counties. They permit one to level FAME database, some interesting talk of the economy of, say, Donegal, insights emerged. For example, it compared to the characteristics of the was fairly easy to search for county economy of Louth. Although the CSO or region-specific ‘clusters’ of similar gathers data at the level of individual manufacturing activities using the SIC firms, for confidentiality reasons it only codes. In the case of the mid-border publishes very aggregate data at the region, significant clusters of wood level of counties (e.g. the aggregate processing and furniture as well as manufacturing sector). We were food processing emerged. Many of fortunate in obtaining access to an these had deep historical roots in enterprise database called FAME, earlier eras. In the case of Down and which contained financial information Louth, manufacturing activity in high and business intelligence covering all technology areas dominated, and many companies in the UK and Ireland.5 A of these were either foreign-owned detailed classification system is used branch plants, or indigenous plants in FAME to allocate enterprises to serving the foreign sector. In the case different sectors.6 It contains precise of the North-West region, there was geographical location information, a significant difference between the thereby permitting one to study the pattern of manufacturing in the Derry
34 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 City agglomeration and the pattern Irish border region. But it was useful to in the adjoining mainly rural region of have a best case example of regional north Donegal. clustering in order to calibrate how far removed business activity in the Irish Knowing what enterprises were present region was from this standard. In the in the sub-regions of the border event, it proved to be very far removed. economy was only the start. The fact that clusters of similar manufacturing Inside the factory door activities exist in a region does not tell you if the constituent firms are focusing The current phase of our project involves on core capabilities and partnering for the difficult task of setting up visits to complementary capabilities in a way selected individual enterprises in the that creates an organic and highly border region to obtain deeper insights competitive entity usually referred to as into current trading conditions, business an ‘entrepreneurial industrial district’. strategy, production facilities, networking behaviour and technology management. A more fully entrepreneurial industrial With limited time and resources, district is one in which associations structuring the field work was not of firms along the production chain obvious a priori. Our final choice was a can collectively and simultaneously regional manufacturing overview; a study redesign products. This requires of apparent clusters; and an in-depth close consultation along the study of specific small towns. First, we production chain. A fully developed targeted a representative selection of industrial district would behave like enterprises within each of the three sub- a collective entrepreneur: it would regions of the border economy in order possess the capacity to redesign to understand the manufacturing and process and organisation as well as business ‘culture’ of that sub-region. product (Best, 1990, p. 206). Next, we selected some ‘clusters’ of related activities for systematic study, Best was writing about the Italian region such as furniture and food processing of Emilia-Romagna, a highly successful in the mid-border region; clothing and region of northern Italy consisting of seafood processing in the North-West many small firms producing traditional region; and technology-based firms in goods such as furniture, ceramics and the North-East region. In each case we clothing, which demonstrated that looked for cluster dynamic processes networked groups of firms, with the which can only be discovered by appropriate strategy, can prosper and primary research ‘in the field’. Finally, we be competitive even in the global market selected a limited number of small place. In isolation from each other, such towns where the size would enable firms cannot survive in modern, high us to study the complete set of wage economies, and tend to migrate to enterprises, rather than just selections, the low wage Asian countries. Of course for comprehensive study of the we did not expect to find such advanced production base. Emilia-Romagna-like behaviour in the
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 35 It is premature to present any detail emerging from our visits to enterprises, both because the visits are still being conducted and because any such accounts would have to be first cleared with the firms themselves. But we can sketch out some of the interesting findings.
Perhaps the most surprising conclusion was that the ‘border’ itself featured far less as a barrier or a problem to firms located in the border region than we Dermot McNally, Rossmore Furniture and Monaghan Chamber of Commerce had anticipated. This was put to us in a pithy way when we were told by one The most difficult task that we faced in Monaghan businessman that ‘green had setting up these enterprise visits was always traded with orange’, and that literally getting in the door! Business the border seemed more of a barrier to people are always busy and not only did people remote from it than for people we wish to interview senior management in its immediate vicinity, who crossed and owners at considerable length, but back and forth with ease. Once a firm we had a very intrusive list of questions had identified the island as its target that penetrated into the deepest areas of market, and made determined and the firm’s operation and strategy.8 Field sustained efforts to build that market, work was complicated by the nature of then the benefits of serving a potential the research questions and time was of six million consumers became needed to bring groups on board. available. Making use of the improved motorway systems on the island, one We quickly realised that postal surveys firm – Crossgar Food Services – told us or ‘cold calling’ would not work, and that their delivery vans left their factory were very fortunate in obtaining the in Crossgar, north of Downpatrick, late initial assistance of InterTradeIreland in at night and could make deliveries as breaking the ice with firms in the NE far south as Cork by five o’clock the sub-region. Generous assistance also following morning. came from chambers of commerce, and in particular the Monaghan Chamber, Given the limited time and resources, through the good offices of Dermot we targeted indigenous firms rather McNally of Rossmore Furniture, who than multinational branch plants. We enthusiastically assisted us in accessing accepted that foreign branch plants the fascinating economy of Monaghan, play a vital role in directly generating an area whose manufacturing history jobs and indirectly sustaining activity goes back to the pre-partition era, and in the region. Indeed, for many small which still retains a specialised and Irish towns the multinational enterprise distinctive character. is the largest, or sometimes the only,
36 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Irvine & Jonathon Phair on Devenish Island, Co Fermanagh as featured in Tourism Ireland’s Go Film
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www.tourismireland.com significant manufacturing employer. and silos. The firm then expanded But such plants can resemble what into overhead cranes, and then into Jane Jacobs referred to as ‘castles structural and reinforcing steel, and in the desert’, having no organic links now employs about 180 people. In this with other businesses other than firm, as in others in the border region, through their direct and indirect spillover great importance was assigned to impacts.9 However, when we visited local attachments and to fostering and locally owned firms it was usually very sustaining their mainly local labour force. clear that success was always traceable to gifted individuals who, against all Many of the firms visited had a similar odds, founded and developed dynamic governance structure: privately held, business ventures and leveraged local family firms run by entrepreneurially- resources. In some cases the state minded, independently-inclined men. development agencies played a crucial The companies did not use debt finance supportive role. But in others the firms but grew ‘organically’ via reinvested seemed to value their independence profits. They are entrepreneurial firms and did not wish to bend their plans in that they see markets as subject to to the rigid, bureaucratic rules and change to which the company must regulations of the agencies. The diversity adapt, but that the adaptation must be of experience with the state agencies anchored in deepening the company’s was surprising. distinctive capability. They are also organised as entrepreneurial firms in the Perhaps the most surprising aspect sense that the purpose of the company of our early enterprise visits was that is not to generate profits for the purpose successful, dynamic, internationally of personal aggrandisement. Rather trading firms employing over a hundred it is to grow and develop a successful people were often to be found in deeply business organisation in which profits rural border areas. As we approached are the source of investment funds. the two plants of Walter Watson near Castlewellan, Co Down, on our very Further, and perhaps most importantly, first trip, we could hardly believe our the men who run these companies eyes when the factory buildings hove have a long time horizon.10 Most have into view amid green fields. We were lived through hard times in the past and greeted by Mr. Watson himself, who see growth as an opportunity to build took pride in recounting a story of how capabilities to enhance the company’s his business originated from the work resilience in the future. While we were of his father, who was a blacksmith visiting these companies more than with a shop next door to the small two years after the onset of the current family home near Castlewellan, located economic recession, none mentioned about 30 kilometres north-east of the the consequences for their companies. border city of Newry. Over the years he gradually extended his product range How do they address the issue to agricultural trailers (eventually with of succession? Once each of the hydraulic hoists), transport boxes, gates companies had achieved a certain
38 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 size, they recruited first a finance/ near the level attained in the regions legal manager from outside the family of the island that have large urban and second either a marketing/sales agglomerations and institutions of higher professional or a production manager. education. When run by exceptional The two management professionals people, firms in the border region can were likely to be given small shares in excel. But there are too few of them. the company and always sat on the How can their numbers be increased? board. The next challenge was the succession to the company founder. One of the by-products of the The founder’s sons and daughters were publication of the National Spatial always likely candidates for leadership Strategy in the South in 2002 was that of the family business, but did not individual counties have produced automatically take over. county development plans. These are usually drawn up with the assistance In one case, a son came back with the of specialised firms of consultants unexpected death of a highly valued rather than produced by actors within manager. In another, three sons did the county itself. After reviewing many not join the business, but a nephew, examples, including those from the an engineering graduate with more border counties, some patterns become than a decade of experience in a large clear. Although such plans contain managerial enterprise in a closely- SWOT analysis, the intention is often to related industry, was being groomed portray the county as a highly desirable to take over. In another, two sons had location and an attractive base for taken degrees in medical science and inward investment.11 Understandably, engineering and will likely take over the county development plans tend to be reins of the company in due course. seen more as marketing opportunities In yet another, a son established an than as vehicles for self-critical analysis. independent business unit with a Perhaps the most surprising aspect distinctive product but within the same of county development plans is the umbrella business organisation. In brevity with which they usually treat the another, the company was being run study of the existing county production by a third generation manufacturing base. For example, the Monaghan engineering graduate who was taking County Development Plan, published the company in new directions. in 2002 and regularly reviewed and updated since then, has no separate In search of sustainable section covering the important county development manufacturing base, or, indeed, of its base of market service enterprises, but The border region has examples of does have detailed treatment of the locally owned, dynamic entrepreneurial environment, social inclusion, a healthy firms. But the official statistics tell us that and safe community, arts and culture, only in the North-East region, within the and sports and leisure.12 Belfast-Dublin corridor, is the level of GDP generated by the enterprise sector
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 39 Given the extreme difficulty that we, as Institutional and broad policy aspects researchers, experienced in obtaining, are also important, and ideally should processing and understanding data on work in harmony with an enterprise- the enterprise sector at a county level, based approach. For example, we this limitation of county level planning suggest that there needs to be a is perhaps understandable. Such radical rethink about why we need plans are heavily influenced by local cross-border institutions. As the Belfast government and state development Agreement was being negotiated, agencies, that are often tasked with perhaps there was a necessary focus implementing a plan which, however on an islandwide role for these bodies. admirable, is complex and often lacks Our initial findings suggested that the local budgets or policy instruments to concept of an ‘island’ market place is attain designated targets. Public policy now well established, driven in large affecting individual business enterprises part by the activities of bodies such as is made at the national level. At a InterTradeIreland. But perhaps these regional level very little can be done in initiatives need to be refocused on the terms of formal policy initiatives. The specific needs of the border region, hope is that private sector firms will take which have tended to be hidden in the care of themselves, attain their own shadow of the greater potential of the private business goals, and in so doing, rapidly integrating island economy. help realise local social and economic development goals. But, of course, local More specifically, attention is needed initiatives can have significant positive to address the peripheral nature of the impacts on enterprises through many economy of the cross-border region, other, often informal channels. which is particularly disadvantaged by the historical legacy of the border. In our research we range from ‘top- Far from being a minor issue, this is at down’ treatment of the border region the very core of the goal to renew the using official data, to a ‘bottom-up’ island economy in a mutually beneficial view based on private data sources way. It is depressing that when one and extended interviews with business tries to make a case for a cross-border people who are actually running development strategy, one is usually successful businesses in the region. We greeted by old, tired jokes about place a lot of stress on the bottom-up smuggling. The reality is that both view, not because we believe that it sides of the immediate border region is the only valid approach. Rather, we suffered after partition, while the rest have found that it has seldom been of the island – centred on Belfast and used in previous research or motivated Dublin - went its separate ways. Until we existing county development plans, bring ourselves to address this historical which tend to take for granted the role legacy of distortion and disadvantage played by individual business enterprises openly, honestly and effectively, the or geographical clusters of similar border economy will continue to be enterprises. isolated from mainstream island life and
40 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6
its development potential will remain The New Competitive Advantage: unrealised. The Renewal of American Industry (Oxford University Press, 2001) and Dr John Bradley was formerly a The New Competition: Institutions Research Professor at the Dublin- of Industrial Restructuring (Harvard based Economic and Social University Press, 1990) and a series Research Institute (ESRI), and of articles. is now an international research consultant working in the areas of development strategies, with REFERENCES an emphasis on Structural Fund design and evaluation. His current 1. Two examples of a pre-Agreement research and consultancy activities ‘island’ perspective are KPMG, focus mainly on the new EU member 1995, The Social and Economic states and candidate states. He Consequences of Peace and specializes in the examination of Economic Reconstruction, and the development barriers facing Bradley, 1996, Exploring Long-term the post-Communist economies Economic and Social Consequences of Central and Eastern Europe, of Peace and Reconciliation in the and in the study of the role of Island of Ireland, both published by inward investment and the impact the Dublin-based Forum for Peace of pre-accession and post- and Reconciliation. accession Structural Funds on these economies. He regularly acts as a 2. See Best, 1990, The New consultant to government ministries Competition, published by Harvard in many of these countries. University Press, and Best, 2001, The New Competitive Advantage, Professor Michael H. Best is published by Oxford University co-director of the Centre for Press. Work specifically on Northern Industrial Competitiveness and Ireland includes Best, 2000, University Professor emeritus, The Capabilities and Innovation University of Massachusetts, and Perspective: The Way Ahead in Senior Associate in industrial Northern Ireland, published by the organisation, Judge Institute of Northern Ireland Economic Council. Management Studies, University of Cambridge. Professor Best’s 3. The inability to provide detailed research focuses on industrial production-related data for Northern clusters, technology management, sub-regions hinges on the small data competitive advantage and sample used by DETI in Northern regional growth. His ‘capability Ireland to derive their part of the UK- and innovation’ perspective on wide Annual Business Inquiry (ABI). industrial growth is developed The size of the sample is barely and illustrated with enterprise and enough to derive results for Northern regional case studies in two books, Ireland as a whole, but completely
42 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 inadequate for use in sub-regions. 7. A branch of Galway-Mayo Institute In Scotland, the government has of Technology (GMIT) is located in greatly increased the sample size Mayo, in Castlebar. But it has a very used by the UK Office of National restricted set of courses and cannot Statistics (ONS), and detailed data be classified as an independent for Scottish regions are published third-level establishment along the freely on the official government lines of GMIT in Galway and National web site. University of Ireland Galway.
4. For information on the Belfast-Dublin 8. The set of questions in which we Corridor, see Bradley, 1994, ‘A Path were interested did not include to Prosperity? Reflections on the financial details. Nevertheless, a high Belfast-Dublin Economic Corridor’, degree of trust was required if the paper presented to a conference of detailed and deep issues were to be the Irish Association on ‘Economic discussed with outside researchers Prospects on the Island of Ireland like us! So far we can report that for the Next Five Years’, Belfast, the degree of cooperation and the November 1994 comprehensiveness of information given to us by enterprises that we 5. FAME is a commercial database of have visited were remarkable, and UK and Irish company information had a profound impact on the way and business intelligence. It that we thought about businesses in combines comprehensive company the border region and businesses in information with flexible software. general. Using it one can create searches and analyse results. It currently 9. Jane Jacobs’ seminal book contains over seven million Cities and the Wealth of Nations companies. (Penguin, 1986), seldom read by economists, contains a remarkable 6. The sectoral classification system account of how prosperity in regions used in FAME is the 2003 version of depends on the prosperity of cities the UK Standardised Classification and towns. It should be required System (SIC 2003). Each enterprise reading for all spatial and economic is allocated at least one classification planners. code. For example, one can extract, say, all firms in the furniture sector 10. The companies that we have visited by searching on SIC 2003 code to date have all been run by men. 36.1, and by further restricting the We know that this is not always the geographical location, one can case and will discover more about identify all furniture plants in, say, the gender composition of both Monaghan (refer to SIC 2003 for full management and workforces as we details of the classification system). proceed.
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 43 11. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. It is a useful way of classifying and distinguishing factors that are internal to the region (SW) from factors that are mainly external (OT), and exploring ways in which the internal-external interaction is likely to affect the process of regional development. Many SWOT applications are poorly organised and disconnected from analysis. SWOT is merely an organising technique, and is only as good as the underlying research and analysis upon which it is based.
12. For complete information of county development planning in Monaghan, see http://www.monaghancdb. ie/. Information on the consultancy firm that drew up the plan, Mentor Economic Development Limited, is available on http://www. mentorconsultants.com/.
44 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 KEEPING UP WITH THE NEIGHBOURS: HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION, NORTH AND SOUTH, SINCE THE BELFAST AGREEMENT
Michael Farrell
I was very pleased and honoured to be asked to give last year’s Stephen Livingstone Lecture on 5 October 2010. Stephen was one of the brightest stars of the very remarkable group of human rights lawyers and activists that came together around the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) over the last 30 years. It was a real honour to be asked to pay a Michael Farrell tribute to him. I first met Stephen in the mid to late 1980s at a small meeting in Dublin about the campaign to get the Irish Government to ratify the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners. It was evidence of his deep concern for one of the less popular human rights causes – the rights of prisoners and their families.
I then got to know him better as part at the Stormont Hotel. I think it was in of the close cooperation, led by CAJ, connection with it that I rang Stephen on between the Irish Council for Civil his mobile phone at one stage only to Liberties, of which I was co-chairperson find that he was answering from a hotel at the time, Liberty, British-Irish Rights in Addis Ababa, which brought home to Watch, Amnesty and the US Lawyers me just how far-reaching, in the literal Committee for Human Rights, who sense, was his concern for worked very hard and with some human rights. success to try to ensure that human rights protections formed a key part It was quite some time after I first met of the Northern Ireland peace Stephen when I learned that he had negotiations and the eventual Belfast/ been, as he put it, the ‘fifth Beatle’ Good Friday Agreement. member of the very funny comedy group, the Hole in the Wall Gang. It The last time I met Stephen was in helped to explain his wry wit and quirky connection with a fascinating conference sense of humour. And it was later still organised by himself and Kieran McEvoy that I realised that I had worked in the on the Judiciary and Human Rights, held old Belfast Tech in College Square with
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 45 his father Max, a quiet and courteous Ireland ’. That requirement clearly man in very troubled times. envisaged an all-island dimension to the rights protections in the Agreement. In retrospect it has become clearer that Stephen was a very important figure in To the human rights community and, I the creation of a vibrant and determined hope, to many others who welcomed human rights community in Northern the Agreement as an opportunity Ireland, committed to developing a for a new beginning, this amounted culture of human rights and equality in to a vision and an ideal of a society this jurisdiction, in the island of Ireland throughout the island that would be and in these islands. His loss was a based on a culture of human rights, great blow not just to his partner Karen with laws and institutions to deliver and and his immediate family, but to the protect those rights. whole human rights community here – but he had helped to dig the foundations And even at the most mundane and well and the house still stands. pragmatic level, the requirement for equivalence of rights was based on the Equivalence of rights? idea of a symmetry of rights protections, North and South, to demonstrate I should say at the outset that although that the Republic was fully committed I am the senior solicitor with Free Legal to the ideals of equality, fairness, Advice Centres in Dublin and I am also respect and due process that it was a member of the Irish Human Rights advocating for Northern Ireland. It may Commission, I am speaking in my even have implied that the Republic personal capacity. I would not want my might sometimes set an example by respected and respectable colleagues to implementing ‘equivalent’ reforms with get blamed for what I say. an energy and enthusiasm that would highlight any foot-dragging north of It seemed fitting that a lecture to the border. Either way, the requirement honour Stephen’s memory should deal for equivalence held out the prospect with the human rights provisions of of an island committed to a common the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, platform of human rights, available and which embodied much of what he had enforceable from Ballyferriter to Belfast worked for. And since I have lived and and from Coleraine to Cork. worked in the Republic for many years, I thought I should talk about an aspect I want to look at the extent to which of the Agreement that is less commonly the Government in the Republic has discussed: namely the requirement in delivered on this commitment, but given its ‘Rights, Safeguards and Equality of the all-island character of the vision of Opportunity’ section that the Republic a new era of human rights, and in light should introduce measures to ‘ensure at of some recent developments here in least an equivalent level of protection of Northern Ireland, I want to say a little human rights as will pertain in Northern about the situation in the North as well.
46 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 From left to right: Michael Farrell, Irish Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly and former Director of the Irish Council of Civil Liberties, Donncha O'Connell. The position in the Republic National Minorities; to bring in enhanced employment equality and equal status The section of the Agreement on legislation; to take steps to demonstrate ‘Rights, Safeguards and Equality of respect for the different traditions in the Opportunity’ was clear, specific and island; and to initiate ‘a wide-ranging quite far-reaching in relation to the review of the Offences Against the State Republic. It stated that: Acts, 1939-85’.
The Irish Government will also This was all in the context of the take steps to further strengthen commitment to ensuring at least the protection of human rights in (my emphasis) an equivalent level of its jurisdiction. The Government protection of human rights to that in will ... bring forward measures Northern Ireland. to strengthen and underpin the constitutional protection of A Joint Committee of the two Human human rights. Rights Commissions was also to be set up ‘as a forum for consideration The Irish Government agreed to of human rights issues in the island consider incorporation of the European of Ireland’. And the Joint Committee Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was tasked to consider establishing into its domestic law; to establish a ‘a charter... reflecting and endorsing Human Rights Commission ‘with a agreed measures for the protection of mandate and remit equivalent to that the fundamental rights of everyone living within Northern Ireland’; to ratify the in the island of Ireland’. European Framework Convention on
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 47 This was clearly a vision, an ideal of a of its own selection committee for new dispensation, with the whole island members of the Commission. It had to sharing a commitment to an enhanced subsequently back down and appoint protection of human rights. It was very the rejected nominees as well. And much what the coalition of human rights it never allocated a budget that was bodies I mentioned earlier had worked sufficient to allow the Commission to for. And of course such a vision had carry out all its functions. also been advocated by a number of the parties involved in the negotiations Regrettably, the Joint Committee, the for the Agreement, notably the Women’s proposed ‘forum for the consideration Coalition, sadly no longer with us, of human rights issues in the island but whose strong support for human of Ireland’, has never really taken off. rights has been carried on by Monica With both Commissions regularly McWilliams as Chief Commissioner underfunded, they could not spare the of the Northern Ireland Human Rights money or the staff to make the Joint Commission. Committee a serious body with its own, even seconded, staff and resources, The Irish Government had, we without which it could not be effective. understood, supported this vision, and And the Charter of Rights for the whole had, of course, signed up for it in the island, which could have provided a Inter-Governmental Agreement, which blueprint for realising the vision of an is part of the overall Belfast/Good all-island zone of human rights, has Friday Agreement, and which included withered on the vine, a victim of the a commitment by both British and delays and obstacles put in the way of Irish Governments to implement the the Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland and provisions of the Multi-Party Agreement the chronic lack of funding of the two and to protect ‘civil, political, social, Commissions. economic and cultural rights in their respective jurisdictions’. European Convention finally incorporated How has the Dublin Government delivered on its commitments? Sadly, The European Convention on Human when the euphoria over the signing of Rights (ECHR) was not incorporated into the Agreement subsided, successive domestic law in the Republic until the Irish governments showed little enough beginning of 2004, nearly six years after enthusiasm about delivering what the Agreement, and even then it was they had pledged. While the Northern only after an active lobbying campaign Ireland Human Rights Commission was by NGOs and some pressure from established promptly, the Irish Human the Irish Human Rights Commission. Rights Commission was not set up until By then Ireland was the only Council 2001, three years after the Agreement. of Europe member state not to have And even then there was a major incorporated the Convention. And controversy when the Government the Irish legislation, which was closely rejected most of the recommendations modelled on the UK Human Rights
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20110127-OnePageAdvert-2.indd 1 27/01/2011 16:18 Act, specifically excluded the courts Government to the commitment by from the definition of bodies required the UK Government in the ‘Security’ to act compatibly with the European section of the Agreement to ‘as early Convention and contained no provision a return as possible to normal security similar to the UK one which requires arrangements… and…the removal Ministers to certify to Parliament whether of emergency powers in Northern proposed legislation is compatible with Ireland’. And it does not seem to have the ECHR. occurred to anyone that, in the context of developing an all-island zone of New and quite wide-ranging equality enhanced human rights protections, legislation was brought in promptly this might have been an area where and a new and more powerful Equality it would have been easier for the Irish Authority set up, but it is arguable that Government to take the initiative in this owed more to EU obligations than dismantling emergency legislation, to the Agreement. The new legislation faced as it was with a lower level of did not prohibit discrimination on the paramilitary activity. basis of political opinion, however, and in a major weakness compared with the Those were the areas where formal Northern Ireland legislation, there was – and specific commitments had been and still is – no equivalent of the Section given by the Irish Government. In other 75 positive duty to promote equality, that areas where the general requirement is so important in the North. of equivalence applied, the record was no better. One of the flagship A committee was set up to review the changes in Northern Ireland has clearly Offences Against the State Acts, as been the establishment of the Police pledged in the Agreement, but when it Ombudsman’s Office, which has reported in 2002, it was deeply divided. become a model for many countries A majority supported the retention of seeking to reform their police forces. the power to intern suspects without There were calls for a similar body to trial, continued use of the non-jury be set up in the Republic, but it took a Special Criminal Court even for some series of domestic scandals, culminating non-paramilitary offences, and use in the extraordinary behaviour of a of the opinion of a Garda officer as number of gardai in Donegal, recorded evidence of membership of an illegal in the devastating reports of the Morris organisation. No action was taken by Tribunal, to finally push the authorities Irish Government even on some minor in Dublin into setting up the Garda reforms suggested by the committee Siochana Ombudsman Commission. and new legislation brought in last year has extended the use of the Special And, returning to a theme close Criminal Court to try non-paramilitary to Stephen Livingstone’s heart, gangland offences. accountability and transparency have not made much impact on the prison Little attention seems to have been system in the Republic, where gross paid by either the committee or the overcrowding, some of it in crumbling
50 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Victorian buildings with no in-cell somewhat grudgingly, but there was sanitation, has turned many of the no enthusiasm for change, no brave prisons into penal slums. Despite the initiatives to generate a momentum that appointment of a Prisoner Ombudsman would be infectious across the border in Northern Ireland in 2005, there has as well. been no response by Dublin to calls for the establishment of a similar institution And then came the economic crisis. in the Republic. In 2008-2009 when we were seeing only the tip of the iceberg that was In other areas unconnected with to come, the Irish Government had the legacy of the Troubles or other already decided to pay off the enormous security issues, progressive changes debts generated by profligate banks in Northern Ireland, generally as a and developers from the pockets of result of developments in the UK as a the ordinary people. There was a drive whole, have not been the trigger for to cut public spending with a general changes in the Republic to provide reduction of 10% in the budget of public equivalent rights. Instead, such changes bodies, but the Government slashed have generally resulted from domestic the budget of the Equality Authority demands and/or developments in the by 43%, forcing the resignation of its European Court of Human Rights or EU widely respected chief executive, Niall law. Examples are the recent passage Crowley, and seriously undermining its of the Civil Partnership Bill and the effectiveness. Irish Government’s even more recent move to introduce legal recognition The budget of the Irish Human Rights for transgendered persons – both Commission – a specific commitment in developments which have been in effect the Agreement – was cut by 32% and in Northern Ireland for some time. a ban on filling vacancies in the public service is slowly strangling it. A National In summary, not long after the Action Plan Against Racism was not Agreement was concluded, the Irish renewed and both the state-funded anti- Government seems to have taken racism body, the National Consultative its eye off the bigger picture and the Committee on Racism and Inter- exciting and inspiring concept of an culturalism (NCCRI) and the Combat all-island area of human rights. While Poverty Agency were disbanded – at elements in the administration remained a time when racism and poverty were committed to the ideal, inertia seems likely to get substantially worse. to have set in, coupled with resistance to change by parts of the permanent There is no doubt that there was a quite government. disproportionate cut in funding for the human rights and equality sector and The specific commitments in the there has been much speculation about Agreement – apart, arguably, from the the reasons for it. Was it revenge for the dismantling of the Offences Against Equality Authority taking discrimination the State Acts – were delivered on, cases against public service bodies,
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 51 for the Human Rights Commission Developments in Northern Ireland criticising the Government’s policy on US rendition planes landing at Shannon, There has undoubtedly been substantial or for both these bodies criticising the progress in human rights terms in Government’s treatment of asylum Northern Ireland since the Agreement. seekers? The police have been radically reformed and 50/50 recruitment and active Or was it a bid to silence bodies that recruiting of women has made the might speak out when Government PSNI much more acceptable across austerity policies began to really hurt the both main communities, while the most vulnerable in Irish society? establishment of the Ombudsman’s office has given confidence that where Whatever the answer to those there are abuses, potential remedies are questions, even the most charitable view available. would indicate that when things began to get tough and cuts had to be made, The Human Rights Act has made the the Government saw human rights and law a significant instrument of change, equality as expendable as luxuries which and human rights advocates can now were alright in times of plenty, but which look to the new Supreme Court as an should be among the first to go when ally in the protection of human rights belts had to be tightened. in a way they would not have done to the House of Lords in the pre-Human And again it seems that no thought Rights Act days. And the judiciary in was given to the wider vision of an Northern Ireland has become much all-island culture of human rights, to more representative of the main political/ the specific commitments in the Good religious communities as well – though Friday Agreement, or to the knock-on it remains singularly unrepresentative of effect that undermining key human half the population – women. rights bodies in the Republic might have on the UK Government’s attitude to the The equality legislation, the Equality equivalent bodies in Northern Ireland. Commission and Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act have done a lot I am conscious that I am not painting to end the discrimination that played a very encouraging picture, but I do such a role in the origins of the Northern not think that all is entirely lost in the conflict. There are, however, still Republic. I will come back to that point, significant imbalances in unemployment but now I would like to say something and deprivation, and areas of persistent about the situation in Northern Ireland. I poverty and neglect that need to be say this with some diffidence since most addressed, and this may well require people here will be more familiar with more emphasis on positive action and the details of these matters than me, targeting investment and resources than but to get a rounded picture of the all- on the limited remedy of decisions on island position it is necessary to look at individual complaints. developments in both jurisdictions.
52 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 The report of the Bloody Sunday The establishment of the Northern Inquiry during the summer of 2010 Ireland Human Rights Commission also represents a major step forward, has been a major building block in the despite its unconscionable cost, which human rights infrastructure in the North. was not the fault of the victims or their It has had its problems and divisions, families. The fact that Lord Saville which perhaps in retrospect was not asserted clearly the innocence of all surprising given the difficulty of some those killed or wounded on that day of the issues it has had to grapple with and the responsibility of the British and the less than supportive attitude army, and the forthright apology by of the UK Government and some of David Cameron, have gone a long way the local parties. But the Commission to undoing the insult of the Widgery has survived and has earned a well- Tribunal and bringing some closure to deserved reputation for the excellence of the families and very many people in the its work in trying to protect the rights of city of Derry. the most vulnerable in all communities in Northern Ireland. I hope the results of the remaining inquiries will be as frank and forthright It has become a crucial driver of the and that the Government will finally whole human rights dimension of the agree to hold a proper public inquiry into Agreement. However, warning lights the murder of Pat Finucane as well. have begun to flash in connection with
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JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 53 the attitude of the UK Government to recommendations, and dismisses a the Commission and by implication to number of the others as well, seems the whole Agreement. to me to show contempt for the whole process and for a key part of the Bill of Rights architecture of the Agreement. And when the new Coalition Government A key responsibility of the Commission apparently adopts and repeats more under the Agreement was to advise firmly its predecessor’s argument that the UK Government on a Bill of Rights, the Bill of Rights process should be which was envisaged as becoming, effectively subsumed in its plans for a Bill together with the European Convention of Rights and Responsibilities for the UK on Human Rights, a basic constitutional as a whole, it appears to show a lack document for Northern Ireland. The of understanding of the basic concepts Commission and its staff put nine years of the Agreement, with its recognition of dedication, commitment, enthusiasm of the particularity and special and sheer hard work into drawing circumstances of Northern Ireland. up its Bill of Rights proposals. It held consultations across Northern Ireland The proposal for a ‘Bill of Rights and and with every sector of society, raising Responsibilities’ contains its own hopes and expectations. The Bill of difficulties. The rhetoric around this Rights Forum put another two years of proposal about substituting a more hard work into the process under the ‘British’ set of rights for the ‘European’ patient direction of Chris Sidoti, former model of the European Convention on head of the Australian Human Rights Human Rights, and the suspicion by and Equal Opportunities Commission. many in the human rights community NGOs and civil society generally made that this is really intended to dilute countless submissions to the process. the Human Rights Act, is liable to undermine some of the confidence in The draft Bill was inevitably a the Agreement. compromise and may not have satisfied everybody, but it was and After all, the ‘incorporation into is an impressive document that Northern Ireland of the European genuinely tries to deal with the particular Convention on Human Rights [ECHR], concerns of Northern Ireland, and with direct access to the courts, and it contains innovative proposals on remedies for breach of the Convention, social and economic rights that are including power for the courts to particularly relevant to a society that has overrule Assembly legislation on consistently higher levels of poverty and grounds of inconsistency’ was a key deprivation than other regions of the UK. component of the Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity section of For the Northern Ireland Office to sit the Agreement. on these proposals for almost a year and then issue a Consultation Paper And the role of the ECHR is also written that refuses to consider nine of the key into Strand One of the Agreement under
54 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Banners bearing portraits of Bloody Sunday victims were carried to the Guildhall in Derry on 15 June 2010, where relatives were able to read the first copies of the Saville Inquiry report. ‘Democratic Institutions in Northern capacity to do its job, thus undermining Ireland’. It is hard to see how, if the another key element of the Agreement. Human Rights Act, which incorporates the ECHR into law for the whole of This seems to me a dangerous the UK, was diluted, the European course. It threatens the vision behind Convention could continue to play the the Agreement, the concept of a new crucial role in Northern Ireland that was society where the rights of everyone in envisaged for it in the Agreement. all communities will be comprehensively protected and enshrined in law and can Then there is the proposed 25% be enforced through the courts. cut in the budget of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, I would prefer to concentrate on following the example set by the Irish the vision and the ideals behind the Government, and the arbitrary refusal Agreement. But there is a down to earth to allow the Commission to accept and practical danger here as well. The philanthropic support for specific UK Government has been warning projects, something which has proved of a serious danger from dissident a lifeline for the IHRC and has not Republican violence. While there is very compromised its independence in little political support at the moment for any way. In a situation where the the activities of Republican ‘dissidents’, Northern Ireland Commission has been there is a close correlation between inadequately funded from the beginning, support for dissident organisations and a 25% cut could seriously impair its areas of serious deprivation, which are marked by hopelessness and lack of
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 55 faith in the political system. Even from a House of Lords and the Supreme realpolitik point of view, this is not a time Court have indicated in some recent to begin dismantling or undermining judgments that the ECHR requires parts of the Agreement – or to cut public at least a minimum level of social spending and investment in the most protection in the states that are parties deprived areas of Northern Ireland. to the Convention (cf. R (Limbuela) v. Secretary of State for the Home This is more than ever a time to reach Department [2005] UKHL 66) out and try to demonstrate to deprived and marginalised people, who have As the economic crisis deepens in both experienced no peace dividend so far, jurisdictions and impacts more severely that the Agreement and the political on those already on the margins, such settlement based on it can offer them as the sick, the disabled, the elderly, hope and the prospect of a fair deal in a single parents and their families, the new society based on respect, equality homeless, migrants and asylum seekers, and human rights principles.This is a we face a challenge to make human time, North and South in the island rights more relevant to these groups. of Ireland, to defend and develop the Indeed a lack of pressure to implement Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, not to the Agreement from those working with dismantle it. the most deprived and marginalised in the Republic because they saw it as It is also a time, in both jurisdictions, largely connected with the North rather to place more focus on social and than with the vulnerable throughout economic rights as well as the civil and the island, may have contributed to political rights which have up to now the Irish Government’s lack of energy been the main focus of discussion. and enthusiasm in carrying out its It is worth repeating that the Inter- commitments. Governmental Agreement commits both British and Irish governments to Fortunately, the NI Human Rights protect ‘civil, political, social, economic Commission has prepared the ground [my emphasis] and cultural rights in their for such an initiative by naming and respective jurisdictions’. explaining key social and economic rights in its Advice on the Bill of Rights. The Human Rights Commission Act in the Republic defines human rights as Conclusion the rights conferred by the Constitution and the international treaties to which So far I have presented a fairly gloomy the State is a party, which, of course, picture: the inspiring vision in the Belfast/ includes the International Covenant on Good Friday Agreement of a new dawn Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and a new dispensation – an island and the European Social Charter. based on a culture of human rights – but And although the Belfast/Good Friday slow, grudging and half-hearted delivery Agreement refers only to the European of some of the specific commitments in Convention on Human Rights, the
56 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 the Agreement and downright refusal to and equality sector has provoked implement others. resistance among NGOs and community organisations which have But this was never going to be easy and formed a broad-based Equality and a great deal has already been achieved Rights Alliance that has already had – in both jurisdictions. And it is a lot some success in preventing further better in a cold climate to be defending cuts. And the UN High Commissioner and seeking to build upon gains that for Human Rights and the Council have already been made, than having to of Europe Commissioner, Thomas start off afresh. Hammarberg, have intervened as well and put significant pressure on the Irish While I can only speak with confidence Government not to undermine these about the situation in the Republic, bodies any further. there are some hopeful signs as well. The crude attack on the human rights
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 57 The revelations of the appalling greed Council of Civil Liberties. In the late and hubris of the Irish banking sector 1960s he was a leading member and the complicity and mismanagement of the Civil Rights Movement in by the Irish Government have made an Northern Ireland and a founding early election inevitable. The electorate member of People’s Democracy. He is deeply disillusioned with the existing is the author of a number of books, political system and open to new ideas including Northern Ireland: The on how to build a better society. The Orange State (1976 and 1980). This Labour Party, which will be pivotal to is the text of the annual Stephen any new Government in the Republic, Livingstone Lecture delivered in has called for the drafting of a new Belfast on 5th October 2010. Constitution to replace the existing one which is based on the values of a different age.
There is a real opportunity in the Republic now to put the case, not just for the restoration of the human rights infrastructure as it was, but for a renewal of that vision in 1998 of an island built on a culture of human rights and for stronger, more effective, more committed human rights structures to help bring it about.
The dynamics may be different in Northern Ireland, just as the recession that has devastated the Republic’s economy is only beginning to hit the UK with full force now. But this is no time to give up hope, to abandon the huge gains that have been made, or to lose sight of the vision behind the Agreement. Instead it is a time in the words of one of the inspirational songs of the US Civil Rights movement, to ‘Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on'.
Michael Farrell is the senior solicitor with Free Legal Advice Centres in Dublin and a member of the Irish Human Rights Commission. He is a former co-chairperson of the Irish
58 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 THE DUBLIN-BELFAST RAIL LINE: THE NEED FOR A BETTER SERVICE TO LOWER NORTH-SOUTH ECONOMIC BARRIERS
Edgar Morgenroth
The Dublin-Belfast ‘corridor’ is the most significant economic region on the island of Ireland, with approximately 50% of the output of the island produced here. More than 2 million people – out of six million on the island – live in the corridor.1 Given the relatively small scale of the island and its two constituent parts, it is not surprising that the area Edgar Morgenroth between its two largest cities has been identified as a key driver for growth due to its critical mass.
However, while the corridor can be from the man who originated the identified as a spatial concept, the concept, Sir George Quigley, nearly degree to which it currently represents 20 years ago, to the Engineers Ireland a ‘functional region’ can be questioned. report, Infrastructure for an island For example van Egeraat and Sokol population of 8 million, in 2010. (2006) show that the linkages among advanced producer service providers The degree to which the development on the island outside Dublin are very of the corridor is supported within limited2. Research by Morgenroth (2009) the spatial planning frameworks shows that trade between Northern North and South differs. The 2002 Ireland and the Republic of Ireland Irish National Spatial Strategy aims to is lower than expected for a number consolidate Dublin, but allows for the of sectors. These findings suggest further development of Dundalk as a that there are still significant barriers gateway. In contrast, the 2001 Regional to economic integration between the Development Strategy for Northern two parts of the island, including along Ireland does envisage the clustering the Dublin-Belfast corridor. Given the of certain business activities in the relatively low critical economic mass corridor. Both strategies have identified of Ireland, a lower level of integration the Dublin-Belfast corridor as a major is likely to result in lower growth. transport route, and indeed the Northern Consequently it is not surprising that Ireland regional development strategy there have been calls for the further envisages the introduction of high speed development of the corridor, ranging rail services between the two cities.
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 59 Transport links provide a critical Dublin-Belfast rail service with similar facilitator for increased integration services across Europe. within this strategic east coast region between the island’s two major cities. Some basic facts Significant investment has gone into the improvement of the road connection, The Dublin-Belfast rail service runs with the completion of the M1 motorway over a length of approximately 190 and investment in the A1 and in kilometres. The fastest connection particular the completion of the Newry takes 127 minutes, which equates by-pass. This investment has cut the to an average speed of 90 km/h. travel time for the car journey between There are eight trains per day in each Dublin and Belfast to about two hours, direction serving Dublin, Belfast and which is slightly shorter than the rail four intermediate stations, Drogheda, connection, which takes two hours Dundalk, Newry and Portadown. and seven minutes (at its fastest) from Connolly Station in Dublin to Central During the summer of 2010 the Station in Belfast. Dublin-Belfast Enterprise service had the worst punctuality record across all While the two modes of traffic differ mainline services on the island, with just considerably – e.g. road transport 83% arriving within 10 minutes of the is more flexible and allows multiple scheduled arrival time3. access points, while rail travel is usually considered to be less stressful, safer In a European context the Dublin – and allows the traveller to work while Belfast rail link appears to be providing a travelling – the investment in the road poor service, as is exemplified in table 1. infrastructure has eliminated the speed In particular the frequency of the service, advantage that rail used to have. One with just eight trains per day, is very low might therefore expect the modal share compared to the other city pairs. of rail to reduce, holding everything else fixed. However, this runs contrary to It is difficult to obtain accurate up-to- the policy aim of both governments to date passenger journey figures for increase the use of more sustainable the Dublin-Belfast service. However, forms of transport, and in that context the 2010 Engineers Ireland publication it is important to consider whether reported that in 2007 the total number the existing ‘express’ inter-city rail of journeys on the Dublin-Belfast line connection provides an adequate was slightly less than 10 million for standard of service. passengers travelling between at least two stations on the line, including This paper outlines some basic facts commuter traffic. That publication about the Dublin-Belfast rail link, reviews also showed that a very substantial some of the relevant literature on factors proportion of these journeys are driving demand for rail, and conducts a accounted for by commuting journeys, benchmarking analysis comparing the primarily between Dublin and Drogheda,
60 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Table 1 Basic Service Quality Indicators for selected city pair rail connections
Route Distance Travel Time Average Frequency (Minutes) Speed (daily) Dublin-Belfast 190km 127 90 km/h 8 Edinburgh- 74km 50 89 km/h 49 Glasgow Manchester- 140km 88 95 km/h 34 Birmingham Munich- 170km 75 136 km/h 49 Nuremberg Brussels-Liege 97km 51 114 km/h 60 which has a commuter rail service in Map 1 clearly shows that rail has a addition to the Dublin-Belfast service. relatively low share as a commuting The number of commuting journeys mode except in very few locations close between Portadown and Belfast was to the two major cities. Furthermore, just over half that of the Drogheda- there is clear evidence that a more Dublin flow. The higher frequency of frequent commuter service results in services between Drogheda and Dublin increased mode share for rail. Most has resulted in significantly higher importantly, the map shows that usage market share for commuting journeys, of rail is almost non-existent for persons as is shown in Map 1. In contrast the resident outside a very narrow corridor share on the commuter line into Belfast close to rail stations that is no more than is considerably lower than for the 15 kilometres wide. Drogheda-Dublin route. This tight containment of the rail During 2010 traffic on the M1 motorway catchment area is likely to be related to near Dundalk was around 20,000 constraints on multi-modal travel. There vehicles per day, which implies that has been little focus on multi-modal about seven million vehicles travel that travel in Ireland; yet most people do not section of road annually. Closer to Dublin live in the vicinity of a railway station and that traffic increases, with almost 30 thus have to use other modes to get to million vehicles travelling on the M1 the station if they are to use rail. In major section at the airport. Likewise traffic cities like Dublin and Belfast this can be on the M1 near Belfast is also well in addressed relatively easily, but this is not excess of 20,000 vehicles per day. Thus the case for stations in smaller towns the total level of traffic on the Dublin- where access to other public transport Belfast road connection is a multiple of modes is limited. the inter-city rail traffic.
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 61 Map 1 Rail commuters as a percentage of total commuters on the Dublin-Belfast line
Note: The data for the Republic of Ireland is drawn from the 2006 Census of Population while the data for Northern Ireland is drawn from the 2001 Census of Population. Commuting in Northern Ireland refers only to commuting to work, while commuting in the Republic of Ireland also includes travel to school and college. The line between Lisburn and Antrim shown on this map has since closed.
62 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 The Dublin-Belfast 'Enterprise' crosses Craigmore Viaduct outside Newry, the highest viaduct in Ireland.
Train v. car reliability and price/value for money. Couto and Graham (2008) showed A substantial academic literature exists that overall service quality impacts on choice in mode of travel and the significantly on rail demand, but their impact of different quality attributes, measure of quality is a general index so although there is only a limited literature their results do not yield any insight into on Ireland. the importance of individual LOS variables. There is evidence that at least to some extent a train service provides Ben-Akiva and Morikawa (2002) a substitute to car ownership and showed that reliability is an important travel. For example, recent analysis determinant in mode choice in an by Cummins and Nolan (2010 ) using analysis of the choice between bus and Irish data showed that rail availability rail travel. This is likely to be particularly and the availability of park-and-ride important for commuting and facilities reduces car ownership and the business travel. likelihood of using a car for commuting purposes. Mandel et al (1994) found that rail travel is more price and speed sensitive A key element in choosing one mode than car travel. Specifically they found over another is the level of service (LOS) that a one percent reduction in travel provided, which encompasses a range time would increase rail demand by at of quality issues such as availability least one percent, while a one percent (number of stations along a line and reduction in car travel time would density of network), speed, frequency, increase demand by only 0.14%.They
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 63 also estimated the impact of a one direction) was 28. The data was taken percent increase in frequency of trains, from published timetables for spring which they said would raise demand by 2010, considering only midweek approximately 0.1%. However, in a study service levels. of the determinants of rail passenger demand across Europe, FitzRoy and Two regression models have been Smith (1995) found that a 1% increase utilised: one modelling the speed and in frequency resulted in a much larger one modelling the number of trains per 0.5% increase in rail passengers. The day (one-way). Specifically, speed was differences in the impact of frequency modelled as a function of distance, changes might be explained by the frequency and the minimum number possibility that this sensitivity varies of intermediate stops. Frequency was between different service levels. For modelled as a function of speed and instance, Wardman (1994) found the distance. These models are relatively demand responsiveness to a change crude, reflecting the difficulty in in train frequency to be lower for longer collecting data on additional variables distances but to be higher for routes such as electrification and track layout. with fewer intervals between stations. Nevertheless the models were found to provide a reasonable fit in that the speed Benchmarking analysis model explains 50% of the variation in the data and the connections model In order to assess what level of service explains 40% of the variation. Some for two key indicators, namely speed sensitivity analysis using additional and frequency, one would expect on variables and specifications showed that the Dublin-Belfast line, a regression the chosen models are appropriate. analysis using 35 European city pairs with direct rail connections was The results (see Table 2) show that conducted by this researcher. The city services that run over a longer distance pairs for the analysis were chosen on tend to be faster. An extra kilometre, the basis that they were comparable in holding all other variables constant, size and function to Dublin and Belfast increases the speed by 0.34 km/h. with similar distances between them. More frequent services also provide They were drawn from 18 countries: a faster service, as indicated by the Ireland, UK, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, positive coefficient (1.14). Additional Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, stops significantly reduce the average Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Czech speed, as a stop results not only in time Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and lost while stopped in a station, but also Estonia. The average length per inter- because time is lost while breaking and city journey was 177 kilometres and the accelerating. The results suggest that combined population of the two linked one additional stop would reduce the cities 1.64 million. The average speed speed by 9.8 km/h. This is an important of the rail services provided between consideration as there is a clear trade- the 35 city pairs was 117 km/h and the off between speed and the number of average number of daily services (one stops – thus while it might be possible
64 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 On 21 August 2009 the Broadmeadow Viaduct at Malahide collapsed, causing a three month closure of the Dublin-Drogheda section of the Dublin-Belfast line. A Railway Safety Commission investigation found four serious cases of non-compliance with rail safety regulations. to increase passenger journeys by Using the regression results, it is introducing more stops, this could prove possible to predict the expected speed counter-productive in that the average and number of trains by calculating the speed might then drop to the point predicted values using the parameter where other modes of transport become estimates from the regression and the considerably more attractive. observed variables for each city pair. For the Dublin-Belfast line the distance A longer distance tends to result in is 190km, the frequency is eight trains fewer trains per day, but shorter-haul per day and the train currently stops services, which are more likely to attract at least at three intermediate stations larger numbers of commuters, tend to (except the 8 am from Belfast to Dublin, have a higher frequency. A faster service which stops twice). Multiplying these is positively related to a more frequent values by the respective parameters service.
Table 2 Estimation Results Dependent Variable Speed Frequency Distance 0.34*** -0.19*** Frequency 1.14*** Number of stops (minimum) -9.8*** Speed 0.22*** Adjusted R2 0.50 0.41 Predicted value for the 92.76 19.12 Dublin-Belfast line
Note: *** denotes significance at the 99% level.
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 65 and adding the products yields the An increase in the frequency would predicted values. Similarly, the predicted require investment in additional rolling value for the frequency is calculated by stock. In this respect it should be noted multiplying the parameters by the values that the poor reliability record of the for distance and speed for the service. line is likely to be related to the need to replace some of the existing stock, so The predicted values from the analysis the total cost could be very substantial. show that the expected speed for the Dublin-Belfast service is 90 km/h, Achieving a significant speed corresponding to the actual current improvement would require very speed, which might be surprising significant investment in both rolling given the fact that the service is being stock and track. The UK government benchmarked against other nominally is currently pursuing plans to construct higher speed inter-city services a high-speed rail line from London to elsewhere in Europe. However, given the Midlands. The cost of this high that the rail service now offers no speed speed line is estimated to exceed £80 advantage over a car, one could argue million per kilometre. On this basis, a that speed improvements are necessary similar investment in high speed rail for to make the service more attractive. An the Dublin-Belfast line would exceed average speed improvement of 24 km/h £15 billion. Given the considerably would reduce the travel time to 1 hour smaller population catchment area, it is 40 minutes. therefore difficult to imagine a positive business case being made for such a The expected number of daily services, proposal. when benchmarked against standards elsewhere in Europe, is 20. Thus to There are currently no published plans achieve the expected frequency, 12 for the improvement of the Dublin- trains would need to be added in Belfast service as part of Transport each direction, which would require a 21 in the Republic of Ireland. It has significant investment. been reported in the media that the two operating companies – Irish Rail Large investment needed and Translink – are hoping to introduce an hourly service, but that given the The analysis conducted above suggests financial constraints it would not be that the service needs to be improved possible to purchase the new rolling by increasing the frequency and, in order stock necessary for this and that instead to compete with the reduced travel time the companies might have to resort by car brought about by improvements to old rolling stock. However, Irish Rail on the Dublin-Belfast M1/A1 road, it will receive additional rolling stock for would also need to be improved through mainline services (51 railcars at a cost an increase in speed. Both would of €140 million funded through the require significant capital expenditure. National Development Plan) and it might be possible to use some of these on the Dublin-Belfast line.
66 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Weber Shandwick 210x148.pdf 1 19/01/2011 12:06
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For further information contact Sonya Cassidy Tel: 048/028 9034 7300 Mob: 00 44 (0) 77 7088 6949 Email: [email protected] Furthermore, the current signalling links. While there has been significant technology would not allow for an investment in road infrastructure in the increase in the number of trains as Dublin-Belfast corridor, this investment there is a constraint on the approaches is likely to reduce the attractiveness of to Dublin Connolly, where there is the environmentally more sustainable significant traffic by mainline, commuter rail link. and DART services (so that the incoming ‘Enterprise’ service from Belfast is often A robust analysis has showed that the delayed by having to slot in behind local Dublin-Belfast rail service does not DART services). A re-signalling project is match the expected level of service currently underway and will be finished one would expect between two cities in the middle of 2012. This would allow of the size of Dublin and Belfast when for a higher service frequency provided benchmarked against equivalent the rolling stock is available to do so. A European inter-city services, accounting separate dedicated track for the Dublin- for factors such as distance and the Belfast service would also improve number of stops. reliability and speed, although the very significant cost of this makes it extremely In order to increase the market share of unlikely in the foreseeable future. the rail service, significant investment is needed. Such investment should only It also needs to be recognised that be carried out after careful independent the operation of mainline rail services analysis. However, it is highly unlikely is already significantly subsidised. The that the sizeable resources required implicit operating subvention rate on to increase the speed of the service mainline services for Irish Rail is €6.86 significantly will be available in the per journey (although it is only €0.61 for short- to medium-term. There is scope commuter and DART). Precise estimates to increase the frequency after the of the profitability or otherwise of the signalling has been upgraded, but that Dublin-Belfast line are not published, but will require additional rolling stock. In the media reports have quoted Translink, meantime one low cost way to improve the Northern Ireland transport company, the service would be to increase its saying that the Dublin-Belfast service is reliability, which could be facilitated by not profitable. increasing the priority of the Dublin- Belfast ‘express’ train from third priority Conclusion (after DART and commuter trains on the approaches to Dublin) to highest priority. Closer integration between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Dr Edgar Morgenroth is an Ireland, especially within the Dublin- Associate Research Professor Belfast corridor, is likely to result in and programme co-ordinator significant economic benefits for both for research on transport and jurisdictions. An important facilitator infrastructure at the Economic and for such integration are transport Social Research Institute in Dublin.
68 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 His research interests include interactions and a high degree of transport economics, international self-containment. trade, economic geography and public economics. He is particularly 3 See http://www.irishrail. interested in commuting patterns, ie/news_centre/news. economic returns to infrastructure, asp?action=view&news_id=861 determinants of the volume of trade, the determinants of firm location, regional disparities, REFERENCES regional policy and the efficiency of public investment. He has Ben-Akiva M., and T. Morikiwa (2002) published articles in the Journal “Comparing Ridership Attraction of of International Economics, rail and Bus”, Transport Policy, Vol. 9, Canadian Journal of Economics, pp.107-116. Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Applied Economics and Couto, A., and D. Graham (2008) “The Regional Studies. In 2010 he worked Impact of High-Speed Technology on on secondment to the Strategic Railway Demand”, Transportation, Vol. Investment Board in Northern 35, pp.111-128. Ireland. Cummins, N., and A. Nolan (2010) “Car Ownership and Mode of Transport to ENDNOTES Work in Ireland” The Economic and Social Review, Vol. 41 (1), pp. 1. The population is calculated by adding the populations of Dublin, Cummins, N., and A. Nolan (2010) “The Louth and east Meath from the Determinants of Mode of Transport CSO Census 2006 along with the to Work in the Greater Dublin Area”. population of Belfast, Lisburn, Transport Policy, Vol. (), pp. Craigavon, Armagh and Newry and Mourne from the NISRA 2009 Department of Environment, Heritage mid-year population estimates, and Local Government (2002) National which corresponds more closely Spatial Strategy. Dublin: to the potential market for the rail service than that of the wider region Department for Regional Development including counties Kildare, Wicklow (2001) Shaping our Future: Regional and Antrim. Development Strategy for Northern Ireland. Belfast: Department for Regional 2. A functional region is characterised Development by strong interactions across a range of variables such as Engineers Ireland (2010) Infrastructure commuting and business for an Island Population of 8 Million. Newry: InterTrade Ireland.
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 69 FitzRoy, F., and I. Smith (1995) “The Demand for Rail Transport in European Countries”, Transport Policy, Vol. 2(3)m pp. 153-158
Mandel, B., Gaudry, M., and W. Rotherngatter (1997) “A Disaggregate Box-Cox Logit Mode Choice Model of Intercity Passanger Travel in Germany and its Implications for High-Speed Rail Demand Forecasts”, Annals of Regional Science, Vol.31, pp.99-120
Morgenroth, E. (2009) A Gravity Model Approach to Estimating the Expected Volume of North/South Trade. Newry: InterTrade Ireland.
Wardman, M. (1994) “Forecasting the Impact of Service Quality Changes on the Demand for Inter-Urban Rail Travel”, Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, Vol. 238(3), pp. 287-306.
Van Egeraat, C., and M. Sokol (2006) “Service Firm Connections in the Dublin- Belfast Corridor” in J. Yarwood (ed.) The Dublin-Belfast Development Corridor: Ireland’s Mega-City Region? Aldershot: Ashgate.
70 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 FOOD SECURITY AND HEALTH ON THE ISLAND OF IRELAND: ARE WE SLEEPWALKING INTO A CRISIS?
Jane Wilde
Food security is back on the global agenda. The drivers are complex and interconnected and include increasing energy prices, climate change, demography, urbanisation, changes in dietary habits, loss and degradation of natural resources such as soil and water, and difficulties in maintaining agricultural viability. As food prices in major world markets Jane Wilde continue to rise, there is increasing concern about food security: the ability of the world to provide healthy and environmentally sustainable food for all its people. This is of course a critical problem for low income countries, but is it relevant for the island of Ireland?
This article highlights the need for new stands at its highest level since the ways of thinking and acting which index started in 1990. We are entering recognise that population health, food dangerous territory, says the UN Food systems and agricultural production are and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s intimately linked at global, national and Chief Economist, Abdolreza Abbassian1. local levels. Critical thinking is urgently The impact of this is already being seen needed to bring together different in rising food prices in Ireland and the perspectives, but the debate in Ireland is UK. Whereas the biggest impact will low-key and disconnected and ignores obviously be felt in low income countries the key issue of health. Yet evidence where staple items demand a much shows that health is and must be central larger share of household incomes, low to food and agricultural policy. income families in wealthier countries will also be affected. This is likely to be A new surge in food prices is likely to of increasing importance as there is cause food riots, geo-political tension, little sign of food prices stabilising and global inflation and increasing hunger cereal and sugar prices are expected to among the world’s poorest people. The continue rising. UN index of food prices, based on an international basket comprising wheat, In 2009 the number of undernourished corn, dairy produce, meat and sugar, people in the world reached one
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 71 billion, in part due to soaring food activity, he described the situation as a prices and the financial crisis. The FAO ‘perfect storm’. Director General, Jacques Diouf, has called this a ‘tragic achievement’.2 In In 1985 2 billion of the population 2009 world leaders convened at the of the world lived in urban centres FAO headquarters in Rome for the compared to 3 billion living in rural World Summit on Food Security and areas.4 unanimously adopted a declaration pledging renewed commitment to By 2015 it is estimated that 6.5 billion eradicate hunger from the face of of the population of the world will be the earth. living in urban centres compared to 2.5 billion in rural areas.5 But government policies such as the ban on food exports introduced by The UK food policy expert Professor Tim the Indian and Russian governments Lang has been calling for a 21st century exacerbate the problems in world food policy to address this new set of markets. The burgeoning economies fundamentals. In a recent paper6 he of East and South Asia and demands urged action to radically alter the policy to turn over agricultural land to biofuels mix we have inherited, a mix that is (especially in the US) are adding to largely based on the idea of addressing pressure on world food supplies. And supply by increasing output and there is increasing concern about reducing prices. He describes today’s speculation as investors climb onto the challenge as even more complex – the food price bandwagon. need to address the coexistence of under-, over- and malnutrition. A perfect storm? In the emerging economies of the In a recent lecture3 in Belfast on food developing world more people are security and sustainability, the UK choosing to consume more meat and Chief Scientist Sir John Beddington poultry, just as people in the Western outlined a 21st century agenda for food world did when their economies security. He highlighted the importance grew dramatically in the 19th and of long term trends in demography and 20th centuries. The combination of urbanisation. Approximately six million urbanisation and the globalisation of people a month are being added to the food systems is leading to a rapid the world’s population, and there is a transition to a high-fat and high-sugar dramatic move to urban centres, with diet which is having a marked and a resultant impact on farm production. disturbing effect on disease patterns, As well as the issue of peak oil, he with a dramatic rise in chronic diseases, stressed that freshwater security is one including heart disease and diabetes, in of the looming challenges across the the developing world. world. Alongside the warnings of climate change and unpredictable weather
72 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 The World Health Organisation predicts that non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and diabetes will increase by 17% in the next 10 years. The greatest increase will be in Africa.7
From a health perspective, the challenges have been spelled out in several international reports which point to the harm done by the global shift in our diets. They also point to the impact food has on social inequality8,9. This shift in diet also has considerable environmental impact. Meat and poultry consume at least three times the level of resources of grain, and urbanisation means not only large concentrations of populations to be fed but less yield on the farms producing the food.
The impact of this shift has been summarised by the 2009 UN and a cup of black coffee represents Environment Programme (UNEP) in 140 litres of embedded water. Waste is its report on food’s impact on the another important issue: approximately biosphere10. In addition, the influential one third of UK purchased food is 2006 Stern Report on climate change11 thrown away by consumers. highlights the fact that that agriculture and food production are considerable UK: Moving away from complacency sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The issue of food security is clearly a matter of life and death for low income World food production must rise by 50% countries, but no country, including by 2030 to meet increasing demand.12 those in the advanced world, can avoid World energy demands are predicted to the issues it raises. In both the UK and rise by 40% by 2030.13 Ireland our current approach to food policy emerged in the aftermath of Beside GHG emissions, diet has other World War Two, where the combination significant environmental effects on of privation and rationing at home, water, waste and energy. The food and malnutrition in countries such as India drink industries are high users of water and the impact of the pre-war American and some foods are extremely high in economic depression meant there was embedded water. For example 1 kg of agreement on the need to increase food beef requires 10-20,000 litres of water
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 73 production and build a science base to aims to explore pressures on the global support this. system between now and 2050, and identify decisions policy-makers need to But the picture today is very different. take to ensure the global population can For the first time there is a concurrence be fed sustainably and equitably. of under-, mal- and over-nutrition, and an urgent need to address serious and These policy frameworks represent a emerging environmental and structural considerable shift in thinking from the challenges. In the UK, discussions rather complacent tone of earlier years. about what food security means and For example, a 2006 Department of how it can be delivered have increased Environment Food and Rural Affairs in the last five years, leading to major (DEFRA)16 document sounded confident government statements including about the state of food security in the Ensuring the UK’s Food Security in a UK, claiming that the country was Changing World (2008)13, Food Matters: relatively fortunate in that ‘we are food Towards a Strategy for the 21st Century secure and have the ability to access a (2008)14 and most recently The Future of wealth of nutritious food from abroad as Food and Farming.15 well as enjoying domestically produced food...National food security is hugely Such reports aim to review the more relevant for developing countries main trends in food production and than the rich countries of Western consumption, analyse them for their Europe.16 economic, environmental and social impacts, assess the robustness of the Policy direction in Ireland current policy framework and determine objectives for future food policy. Food As the UK food security debate has Matters identifies challenges such moved away from complacency, it is as rises in global commodity prices; timely to try to get a sense of policy impacts on health, including an direction on the island of Ireland. Here it estimated 70,000 premature deaths per is probably fair to say that the term ‘food year that could be avoided if UK diets security’ is still seen as largely relevant matched nutritional guidelines; the need to low income countries, and the for continued vigilance in food safety; debate is almost entirely about Ireland’s and the huge environmental impacts contribution to international efforts of the food chain. A clear vision is set to feed the poorer countries of the out with the objectives of securing fair developing world. The memory of the prices, choice, access to food and impact of the Irish famine is emphasised food security through open markets, in Ireland’s approach and there is pride continuous improvements in food safety, in the work of organisations dedicated a transition to healthier diets, and a to responding to world hunger. more environmentally sustainable food chain. Food Harvest is the Irish government’s most recent vision for the food sector.17 The most recent UK Foresight report15 Launched in July 2010, it calls for the
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WHERE PAST MEETS PRESENT armaghcityhotel.com facebook.com/armaghcityhotel 2 Friary Road, Armagh Tel: 028 3751 8888 agricultural sector to lead the way in need for UK-wide collaboration in food Ireland’s economic recovery. As Ireland’s matters and have agreed a range of largest indigenous industry, employing issues where this would be beneficial, over 150,000 people and responsible such as sustainable food production for generating 24 billion euro very year and cost-sharing in research and for the economy, the issue is clearly of development. They have also agreed to the utmost importance. The report’s regular ‘food summits’ to discuss the emphasis is on strengthening and health and well-being of UK citizens and safeguarding the export sector and international food security18. within this the key focus is on meat, dairy, infant formula, soft drinks, fortified Overall, the absence of policy direction foods and alcoholic beverages. There that considers all aspects of food is a strong emphasis on ‘becoming security in Ireland, North and South, green’ and the importance of this lends weight to those who question as a ‘branding issue’ as well as a whether countries like the UK and commitment to a more sustainable Ireland are sleepwalking into a crisis6,19,20. world. We are vulnerable to unexpected factors such as supply chain collapses and Food Harvest is outward looking and need to put in place actions to increase perhaps this is why there is so little our resilience. consideration of the wider needs of Irish people in terms of resilience to food Major drivers affecting the global food shocks such as supply chain problems system have been well summarised in a or oil and water shortages. There is recent series of papers21. They include no mention of population health or the the demand for food (including changing importance of dietary change and the consumption patterns, what can people emphasis is almost entirely on potential afford, and the effects of urbanisation on economic benefits. No one with any food production); trends in future food public health background or expertise supply (what sort of crops are being appears to have been involved. There grown, and future plans for livestock is no formal policy statement outlining and fisheries); external factors affecting Ireland’s assessment of its food security, the food system such as climate and no reference to the impact of the change, competition for water, energy recession, which is almost certain to and land; and cross-cutting themes drive down food quality as people on such as health, food wastage, and the low incomes purchase cheaper, lower economics of food demand and supply. quality food. In both parts of the island we are turning Similarly, there appears to be no a blind eye to many of these issues. clear statement of a distinct policy Many of them are controversial and will on food security for Northern Ireland require some very radical thinking to from the NI Executive or any of its tackle. Among the difficult issues we departments, although the four devolved as Irish people will have to face in the administrations have recognised the future are: Is food security relevant in
76 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 62% of the Irish population are overweight or obese: contestants in RTE's 'Operation Transformation' weight loss competition. rich countries like Ireland? What are determine what can be grown; changing the drivers of agricultural change in agricultural policy will affect health, and Ireland? What is the impact of changing so on. dietary patterns on health? What would a sustainable food system in Ireland Changing our diet mean? Could less meat mean more food? Is a radical rethink of our eating The 20th century change from largely habits required? plant-based diets to energy-dense diets which are high in fat and animal foods These represent deeply political has played a key role in the upsurge of questions that governments, North diet-related preventable health problems and South, need to face and respond such as heart disease, diabetes, to. Each question needs to be thought some cancers and obesity22. In 2007 through, and all require important an extensive UK Foresight Report changes in government policy and pointed out that nearly 60% of the UK individual behaviour globally, nationally population could be obese by 2050, and locally. But a policy response which with substantial health and economic views the issues as completely separate implications23. A similar picture exists in makes no sense. The knock-on effects Ireland, with over 62% of the population of such interconnected issues are clear: already overweight or obese and climate change will reconfigure what significant resulting costs to individuals is grown – how, where and by whom; and society. urbanisation and demography will place heavy demands on food production; The dramatic rise in obesity matters changes in the state of soil will because it is an important risk factor
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 77 for a wide range of serious conditions levels of diabetes24. Further examples of such as heart disease, stroke, high increases forecast in non-communicable blood pressure and diabetes. Recent diseases are listed in table 1. reports from the all-island Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) forecast, The case for action has been spelled for example, that over the period 2007 out in several recent government reports to 2020 there will be a 55% increase including Fit Futures in Northern Ireland25 – from 211,000 to 327,000 – in the and the Taskforce on Obesity Report26 Table 1 Chronic Diseases: number of cases and prevalence rates in 2007 and (forecast in) 2020 in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland **
2007 2020 No. % No. % Hypertension Northern 395529 28.7 481867 31.7 Ireland Republic of 851658 25.1 1192415 28.3 Ireland Angina and heart attack (CHD) Northern 75158 5.4 97255 6.4 Ireland Republic of 130703 3.8 195243 4.6 Ireland Stroke Northern 32941 2.4 42457 2.8 Ireland Republic of 58778 1.7 86845 2.1 Ireland Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2 combined) Northern 67262 5.3 94219 6.6 Ireland Republic of 143618 4.5 232644 5.9 Ireland
** The higher prevalence in Northern Ireland than the Republic of Ireland is due to differences in their demographic, lifestyle and socio-economic profiles. In particular, Northern Ireland has an older population than the Republic of Ireland.
78 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 in Ireland. But implementation is limited of the right foods necessary for health, and patchy. The Northern Ireland published a policy briefing29 on the cost Assembly Health Committee, in its of a healthy diet which highlights the October 2009 report on obesity, called huge challenges posed for households, it ‘a problem with enormous impact and particularly for those with children. that threatens to engulf the entire health Low income households are twice service and will have a serious impact as likely as the whole population to on society and the economy’. experience food poverty, and almost 50% of lone parent households and As well as the strong evidence on 36% of unemployed people experience food’s impact on health, it is closely some sort of food deprivation. linked to the issue of social inequalities. Availability of healthy food is often Almost 1 in 5 schoolchildren in Ireland worse in deprived areas due to the mix report going to bed hungry.30 of shops in these areas. Low income groups are most likely to eat fat spreads, Almost 10% of the population were non-diet soft drinks, processed meats, unable to afford to have family or whole milk and table sugar than people friends around for a meal or a drink who are better off. Ensuring that people once a month.31 have sufficient income to access an affordable, sustainable and healthy diet Around 20% of people in Northern is a key step in food security. Ireland live in low income households with around 25% of children living in In Ireland, two key reports dealing with poverty.32 food poverty have been produced recently by community and public health A strong all-island network has been interest groups. They show that across developed by HFfA, with key partner the island low income households are and funding organisations, to support most affected by the relatively high practical local food initiatives. Examples cost of food. Low income households include Dundalk’s Garden Project, spend a relatively higher proportion of supporting marginalised and vulnerable their income on food and despite this people to prepare and cook fruit and have a poor diet in terms of food and vegetables; Limerick’s ‘Seed to Plate’ nutritional intake. People in low income Project, which encourages organic households tend to shop at convenience home gardening; the East Belfast Eating stores where prices are high and variety Education Programme; Footprints is poor27,28. Both financial and physical Womens Centre’s ‘Building a Transition barriers limit the opportunity of many Community’; and ‘Food for Life’ in low income household to purchase Derry. The initiatives are managed by healthy food. HFfA, and funded by the North/South body safefood with the aim of creating In 2009 Healthy Food for All (HFfA)*, an successful and sustainable models all island initiative which seeks to ensure to make healthy and affordable food that everyone on the island has enough available to all. The work of HFfA
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 79 and other local initiatives are an about who is ‘at the table’. For example, important part of any efforts to the recent plans of the UK government improve food security. to bring food companies into the frame by giving them responsibility for Current policy in Ireland and Northern programmes to tackle obesity need Ireland is not delivering sustainability to ensure that public health does not for food security and health. A food get lost in the economic interests of security policy is needed in both parts these companies’ shareholders. While of the island to shift food production no one would deny the importance and eating behaviour. Single issue of business in creating conditions for approaches waste time, resources health, we need to recognise that food and energy. We need to make sense systems are dominated by very powerful of the complexities of food security, vested interests that do not necessarily sustainability and health, and this can act in the interests of good health or only be done by open discussion sustainability. and debate. The evidence for better integration of Can we eat what we like? food production, agricultural policy and health is irrefutable. A clearer picture There seems to be a view that we can of the links between population health eat what we like, and that this choice and the agriculture and food production is a purely personal one. Yet surely all systems will ensure that health becomes the evidence suggests that there are a driver of agricultural change. There is huge public issues associated with our a recognition that dietary change can choices: ranging from global hunger and also play a key role in mitigating climate starvation (the world cannot eat as we change and adaptation strategies, by in the rich countries do) to the social, promoting health through reducing the economic and health care costs of consumption of saturated fats from illness associated with under- and over- meat and dairy foods. nutrition. Leaving this all to the market and individual choice seems to absolve Food systems clearly need to be more governments of responsibility to manage sustainable, but we need clarification and reorient the market, gain public about what makes for a sustainable diet support for healthy and sustainable and what would this mean in Ireland. A eating, and promote constraint over recent report from the UK Sustainable choice in consumer food advice. Development Commission33 highlighted the changes likely to have the most There is a clear need for government significant and immediate impact on to set in place processes which bring making diets more sustainable, and together different interests, and to think in which health, environmental, social
* Healthy Food for All (HFfA). The core work of Healthy Food for All is funded by the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the Health Service Executive and safefood. This all-island multi-agency initiative seeks to address food poverty by promoting access, availability and affordability of healthy food for low income groups.
80 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 and economic impacts complemented ideas are needed and a clear framework each other. These were reducing on food security (non-existent at the consumption of meat and dairy foods, moment) which cuts across party and reducing consumption of food and jurisdictional lines. This represents an drinks of low nutritional value (i.e. fatty opportunity for cooperation between and sugary foods), and reducing waste. North and South in thinking, science, Clearer direction is also needed from research and creativity and in the government and public agencies to sharing of limited resources. let people know how to meet their nutrition needs and how these fit Food is the link with requirements for environmental sustainability. Food provides a link between the population health, food security and What is needed in Ireland, North and environmental sustainability agendas. South, is a clear set of policy priorities A broader view of food security is and wide agreement on action. New needed in the 21st century: one that
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 81 judges the food system for its social food production and waste. International value, nutritional quality and impact food reserves are now low and many are on the environment. The reduction in wondering if this situation is here to stay. consumption of animal source foods We need to be aware of the possible can improve food security and reduce impact of shocks to the international the levels of chronic disease, including system in interrelated food, health and cardiovascular disease and some environmental areas such as climate cancers. There is a major opportunity change, supply chain management, here to improve both our population health threats (like avian flu), fuel price health and our environment. rises, power supplies and storage problems. A recent example of the opportunity to learn from northern and southern Specific sectoral assessments are approaches on the island, and to share needed on the island of Ireland for grain, information on what works, is Health meat, dairy, fruit, vegetables and fibre, Well34, an all-island interactive web- assessing them for their contribution to based information tool and its obesity home consumption, the environment, hub. Health Well is an initiative of the employment, economy and health, with Institute of Public Health in Ireland indications of how to deliver optimum which builds on its work with the Health production sustainably. Research Board’s Centre for Health and Diet Research at University College We have the opportunity to build on Cork and the UK Clinical Research the thinking and lead being shown Collaboration Centre of Excellence for elsewhere, including in the UK in general Public Health (NI) at Queen’s University and Scotland in particular, and to create Belfast. In recognition of its importance a common vision for food security on the to an all-island research infrastructure, island. It is vital that our politicians now this work has been supported by a argue for moves to make the Common grant from the NI Department for Agricultural Policy (CAP) into a common Employment and Learning (DEL). It is EU sustainable food policy, and to now being extended to the development explore with fellow member states ways of food poverty indicators for the island. in which the CAP can be shifted in this direction. As well as food poverty indicators, it is important to have clear and coherent The governments in Ireland, North and indicators of a sustainable food system South, need to make clear statements and food security. These would set of policy intent in the vital food security out various dimensions of how we area. Their emphasis needs to be understand food security and would on policy coherence and increased help demonstrate how the food system awareness, and understanding of the fit should be judged. between sustainable development, food security and population health. What is Before the highlighting of global food good for sustainability is good for health. security warnings in 2008, the concerns in Europe were mainly about excess
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• Newry • Belfast • DuNgaNNoN • DuNDalk www. fpmca.com No food policy will deliver what is agriculture, community development needed in the 21st century unless it and consumer affairs. She is an reshapes food systems in line with honorary professor at Queen’s sustainable development. Food security University Belfast. is in danger of being submerged in demands for single issue solutions. Secure, safe and sustainable food REFERENCES systems that meet the needs of people globally and across the island of Ireland 1. Collier P. ‘A serious crisis, require informed discussions about food made worse by shortsighted security and the wide participation of governments’. The Independent, people from all areas of society in these 2011; 7561. Available from: http:// discussions. We need to get out of the www.independent.co.uk/news/ sectoral silos we have built and find world/politics/the-coming-hunger- ways of connecting and communicating. record-food-prices-put-world-in- No one sector holds the key to unlock danger-says-un-2177220.html the problems we are facing now and which will clearly increase in the future. 2. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The State We need a coherent, cross-border of Food Insecurity in the World, approach which enables and monitoring progress towards the encourages people to eat a healthy and World Food Summit and Millennium sustainable diet; ensures a resilient and Development Goals. Italy, competitive food system; and increases FAO, 2004. food sustainability. A sustainable food system that supports the well-being 3. Beddington J. ‘Food Security and and health of people is worth working Sustainability: Tough Decisions in for. With courage and persistence more a Changing World’. AFBI George food can be produced sustainably and Scott Memorial Lecture, Belfast 6 used to feed those who need it most, at December 2010. home and abroad. 4. Whitehouse D. ‘Half of humanity set Dr Jane Wilde is Chief Executive to go urban’. 19 May 2005. BBC of the Institute of Public Health in News wesbsite: http://news.bbc. Ireland, which promotes cooperation co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4561183.stm for better health across the island of Ireland. Its focus is on building 5. United Nations. World Urbanization links between research and policy, Prospects (2007 revision). New York, and reducing health inequalities. United Nations, 2008. She is a public health doctor who has worked locally, nationally 6. Lang T. ‘Reshaping the Food and internationally advocating for System for Ecological Public a health dimension in housing, Health’. Journal of Hunger and tackling poverty, food policy,
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JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 85 global food system. The Royal 28. Friel S, Conlon C. Food Poverty Society 2010; 365:2769-2777. and Policy. Dublin, Combat Poverty Agency, 2004. 22. The Lancet. ‘Health and Climate Change Series 2009’. Available 29. Healthy Food for All. The affordability from: http://www.thelancet.com/ of healthy eating for low income series/health-and-climate-change households. Dublin, HFfA, 2009.
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86 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 SØNDERJYLLAND-SCHLESWIG: FROM CONFLICT TO COOPERATION IN THE DANISH-GERMAN BORDER REGION
Martin Klatt
The former Duchy of Schleswig* has been a historic borderland between Denmark and Germany ever since human settlement began in the forests, marshes and swamps along the Eider River in the 12th century. Today, the region is considered a model of ethnic accommodation, border appeasement and cross- border region building within the greater European Martin Klatt framework. In this article, I will give a comprehensive overview on the processes of conflict, accommodation and cooperation in this region.
In 1997 the Danish county of duchy of Sønderjylland or Schleswig, Sønderjylland and the three German which was separated from the Danish counties of Nordfriesland, Schleswig- kingdom in the 12th century. Already Flensburg and Flensburg city within around 1100 Danish princes were vice- the German land (federal state) regents of this duchy, and were later of Schleswig-Holstein concluded linked by marriage to the Schauenburg an agreement to establish Region family, Counts of Holstein (which, unlike Sønderjylland-Schleswig. Although the Schleswig, was a part of the Holy region does not formally consider itself Roman Empire). as a ‘Euroregion’, it says on its website: ‘Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig is a Their heirs ruled in Southern Jutland for so-called Euroregion, an organisational five generations, with recurrent conflicts cooperation between two or more with the Danish crown and violent European border regions.’ feuds between rival noble families in the territory itself. After the last Schauenburg Sønderjylland-Schleswig’s territory goes duke Adolf IV died childless in 1459, the back to a historic entity, the former conflict was resolved by the Ribe Treaty,
* Schleswig and Southern Jutland are synonymous terms originally used for the region between the Eider river in the South and the Kongeå river in the north. The area was divided by the border drawn after the referendum in 1920 into North Schleswig and South Schleswig, but today Danes refer to North Schleswig as Southern Jutland, whereas Germans refer to the city of Schleswig and the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein (see map on page 89).
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 87 which saw the nobility of Schleswig and question. It ended with the recreation of Holstein electing Danish king Christian the status before 1848, so that Denmark I, a nephew of Adolf IV, as Duke of was forbidden to have closer ties with Schleswig and Count of Holstein. This Schleswig than the latter had with construction proved very stable, until Holstein, which continued to belong to an expansionist Sweden threatened to the German Federation. encircle Denmark in the 17th century by using the duchy of Schleswig-Holstein Schleswig’s constitutional position within as a ‘sovereign’ Swedish satellite state. the Danish kingdom was the pretext for Prussia and Austria’s war against After this conflict in was settled in Denmark in 1864, which led to the entire Denmark’s favour, the territories of duchy’s incorporation into Prussia and Schleswig were incorporated into the German empire. The status quo ante the Danish monarchy in 1721. By bellum of 1864 was not restored after 1800 Schleswig had become one of German defeat in World War I. After the wealthier, more advanced parts a plebiscite in 1920 – coincidentally of the Danish conglomerate state, the same year the statelet of Northern then comprising Denmark, Norway, Ireland was established – Schleswig Schleswig, Holstein, the Faroe Islands, was divided along a frontier roughly Iceland and Greenland. The elite in the corresponding to the line separating Duchy of Schleswig was loyal to the the usage of Danish and German in Danish king. The duchy’s largest city, Lutheran church services established Flensburg, was an important trading at the time of the Reformation. North of port in the Baltic Sea trade, with a the line 75% voted for Denmark. There merchant fleet third only to Copenhagen were local German majorities, though, in and Altona. The region’s leading families the towns of Høyer, Tønder, Aabenraa had excellent relations with the capital and Sønderborg, as well as in some city, with marriage patterns linking it villages near the border. South of the line to the whole conglomerate state. The (stretching 30-50 kilometres south of region’s population shared a clear feeling today’s border), 80% voted for Germany. of supremacy over Northern Jutland, which was regarded as backward and During the 1920s and 1930s, regional ‘in the sticks’. German politicians and the German minority in Denmark demanded a 19th century national awakening revision of the border drawn in 1920. These demands became especially During the national awakenings of the explicit after the Nazi takeover in 1933. 19th century, Danish and a German On the other hand, there were still national movements claimed Schleswig considerable factions on the Danish for their respective national projects, side of the border who believed in using essentially legalistic arguments the possibility of recovering all of to support their claims. The 1848-51 Schleswig for Denmark eventually. At war between Denmark and Germany the same time the Danish and German was primarily fought on the Schleswig governments’ policies emphasised
88 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 the separating character of the new not happen: the German authorities border by economically and culturally postponed a decision on the future integrating ‘their’ share of Schleswig into Danish-German border until after the their respective nation states. war. In the event, after the Second World War ended with a German The German occupation of Denmark defeat, the Danish minority in South on 9 April 1940, in spite of a non- Schleswig, together with a large aggression treaty concluded less share of the hitherto German-oriented than a year earlier, severely harmed population of the region, along with psychological Danish-German relations, national organisations and politicians in especially as the German minority Denmark, asked for a new referendum saw a new chance for their wish of a to move the Danish-German border border revision to come true. This did back to the southern border of
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 89 Schleswig on the Eider river. However minorities from their kin-states; both the Danish government and the • This kin-state support to a national British military government in Germany minority across the border was refused to alter the border. regarded suspiciously by the This historical background shows how majority population, who feared ‘nationalism’ in this region divided a separatism or a border revision. largely united cultural landscape with close economic and social ties and a The onset of the East-West conflict, rather homogeneous population, which the establishment of a democratic could not have been divided clearly by West German state in 1949 and West any objective ethnic, cultural, linguistic Germany’s membership of NATO or religious criteria. in 1955, as well as the start of the economic and political integration of Post-war alienation Western Europe, stabilised the situation at the Danish-German border. This Prospects for successful future cross- situation during the 1950s represented border cooperation were not promising a return to normality, but no more. in 1945. Danish-German relations were Denmark set the agenda here. Danish at a low point. Five years of German politicians were well aware of the occupation had caused some physical necessity to integrate West Germany and severe psychological harm in into NATO and a West European Denmark, while Germany suffered from economic and political system. They total defeat, destruction, refugees, were also interested in finding a famine and an uncertain future. At the solution to the question of the Danish same time, a large popular movement minority in South Schleswig. Cross- in hitherto German South Schleswig border cooperation or integration were demanded that the region should be not on the political agenda, though. unified with Denmark. The movement Denmark wanted to preserve the had support from Danish politicians as border’s protective function, and felt well as in influential parts of Denmark’s that there should be no treaties giving population. Germany the possibility of interfering in Danish domestic affairs. Thus the Thus after World War II the status quo national minority rights on both sides of the Danish-German border region of the border were guaranteed through can be characterised by the following two similar, non-binding government elements: declarations in 1955: the so-called Bonn-Copenhagen Declarations. • Separateness instead of integration; • Alienation instead of cooperation; By the mid 1950s the situation at • Border struggle instead of bridge- the Danish-German border can be building; characterised as normalised. Visa-free • Cross-border activities exclusively travel had been established, treaties in the form of material and cultural regulating border issues had been support of the respective national re-established, and local cross-border
90 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 shopping expanded. In addition, the minority situation had calmed since the Bonn-Copenhagen Declarations, which, together with generous material support from the respective kin- states, accommodated the national minorities and assured the individual right to national self-determination (within the existing Danish and German nation-states) in both North and South Schleswig. The border and minority issue was effectively settled, opening the region up for cooperation across the border eventually.
The Schleswig region’s common history began to enter a new political era when Denmark made plans to join the European Economic Community in the 1960s. The German minority in North Schleswig had already started to think A German-Danish border crossing of itself in new terms in the 1950s as it began to define itself as a bridge-builder for generous support, especially for between Germany and Denmark (or youth exchange activities. However even between Europe and Scandinavia) here the Danish side was much more based on their common German-Danish sceptical and reserved. There was heritage. Zweiströmigkeit became the no special interest in Copenhagen in leading characteristic of the minority’s concluding a formal, bilateral friendship self-identification, meaning their treaty with Germany at that time. It bicultural identity encompassing both was clear that Danish popular interest nations. in people-to-people meetings with Germans was much lower than Even though Denmark could not vice versa. accede to the European Community immediately, cross-border contacts at German pressure to create governmental and non-governmental a Euroregion level became more common. For some years, the Schleswig-Holstein land In 1973 Denmark, along with the (federal state or regional) government in UK and Ireland, joined the European Germany was enthusiastically involved Community. The land government of in promoting German-Danish friendship, Schleswig-Holstein, the region’s political hoping for a bilateral agreement based parties and other social groups, and the on the model of the German-French German minority in North Schleswig, agreement of the period, which provided immediately pressed their Danish
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 91 counterparts to increase cross-border led to a common action programme cooperation and establish cross- for cross-border cooperation between border institutions, sometimes not very Schleswig-Holstein and Southern diplomatically. The Schleswig-Holstein Jutland County being presented in regional government’s action plan on February 1988. Only four projects from cross-border cooperation at the start of this programme, with a total volume of 3 the 1970s aimed to create an integrated, million ECUs - that is 10% of the original cross-border region comprising the amount envisaged - were accepted three German border counties and the and funded by the European Regional Danish county of Southern Jutland. The Development Fund. Nonetheless, land government used the argument Schleswig-Holstein and Southern of the region’s assumed historical and Jutland continued to cooperate in the cultural unity as a main reason to plan a three EU INTERREG programmes re-integration of the border region. which followed in the 1990s and 2000s, with a restructuring leading to a larger However the German approaches programme area including the whole on formal cross-border cooperation South Denmark region and most of aiming at an integrated cross-border northern Schleswig-Holstein. region met considerable reservations at all political levels in Denmark. The In spite of the Danish reluctance to Danes declined all propositions moving move to more institutionalised cross- in the direction of abolishing the border cooperation, the German side border and had difficulties in seeing continued to propose more fixed frames practical results from what they saw for cross-border cooperation in the as an ideological German approach to border region. In the 1980s the four cross-border cooperation; they refused administrative units of the border region institutionalisation as an empty principle. (three in Germany and one in Denmark) A main reason for their reservations joined the Association of European was that the Danish Foreign Ministry Border Regions, although not as a single still considered the national balance in member, which would have been the the border region far too sensitive to German side’s preference. Inspired by engage in institutionalised cooperation the INTERREG cooperation, Schleswig- with Germany or Schleswig-Holstein at Holstein’s Minister for European affairs, that time. In consequence, cross-border Gerd Walter, introduced plans to cooperation evolved very slowly in the establish a Euroregion Schleswig at 1970s, concentrating on loose informal the first German-Danish borderland contacts and a few cross-border issues conference in Aabenraa in 1995. that required cooperation. Flensburg mayor Olaf Cord Dielewicz became a strong supporter of the plan, This changed only when the European stressing the historical dimension of Community included support to cross- the reunification of Schleswig. A joint border cooperation in its cohesion Danish-German working group prepared policy in the late 1980s. The prospect of an outline framework acceptable to obtaining financial support from Brussels politicians on both sides of the border,
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This project is part-financed by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund through the INTERREG IVA Programme. following the typical Euroregion model region’s two universities in three cross- with a staffed regional office and a border study programmes. The local political council. employment agencies have used a lot of resources to develop a cross-border When the plans were made public in labour market. A huge demand for early 1997, there was considerable labour in Denmark, combined with high opposition in Denmark, led by nationalist unemployment in Germany, and higher Southern Jutes in alliance with both the wages and tax incentives on the Danish right-wing and the left-wing Danish EU side, multiplied the number of German opposition movements. Coincidentally, workers commuting to Denmark up Denmark joined the Schengen to 2008. After a dip caused by the Agreement at the same time, giving economic recession, such commuting opponents the opportunity to link both is on the way back again, especially as projects. Arguments centred around the German labour market recovered Danish loss of sovereignty over Southern faster from the crisis than the Danish. Jutland and the threat of continuous The abolition of Danish tax privileges for German interference in internal Danish married commuters in January 2011, matters. German politicians’ reference as well as the prospect of considerable to the ‘good old days’ in the Duchy wage increases in Germany, have made of Schleswig made matters worse. the net wage differential smaller and Expressing concern about the possibility will probably continue to reduce the of a new border between Denmark and number of cross-border commuters. the Euroregion, the plan's opponents These developments have not resulted made clear that they considered a in a larger number in the other direction clearly defined and visible border as yet. between Denmark and Germany as a necessity for successful cooperation. Additionally, there is cooperation Nonetheless, the new Euroregion was between the health systems. This is created with almost unanimous political not actually cooperation in the strict support in the local councils. sense, as what has happened is that the Danish health authorities have bought Integration or networking? treatment capacities south of the border for their own citizens (cancer post- Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig has surgery radiation treatment, maternity now existed for 13 years. There has, and ambulance services). There have without doubt, been a tremendous also been common initiatives to improve increase in cross-border activities across cross-border public transport which a wide field during this time. There have been partially successful. The are now regular cross-border sporting frequency of passenger train services events (especially for young people), across both cross-border rail lines was cross-border youth conferences, increased to every two hours; the cross-border children’s theatre and Flensburg city bus system was extended a cross-border cycle route. There into Denmark, and an express bus is cooperation between the border
94 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 service was introduced between Husum, companies have followed the same Flensburg and Sønderborg. practice. In general, German companies regard Scandinavia as one market Additionally, there have been projects and prefer to locate their activities in on the common, regional marketing or near one of the capital cities. Many of tourism. Region Sønderjylland- attempts have been made to increase Schleswig has a fund to support cooperation between local businesses, cross-border cultural activities, with and some successes are visible in priority given to projects bringing people vocational training. In general, though, together across the border. Professional cross-border business cooperation is cooperation between the region’s not a specific strength of the region. symphony orchestras has functioned well for many years, but there is little A regional coordinator cooperation between organisers of pop music concerts. The national Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig minorities also provide an excellent functions as a coordinator and partial programme of cultural activities from financial supporter of a range of the neighbouring country, with regular cross-border activities. It is steered by visiting performances of theatres and a board, which represents the region orchestras of the highest calibre. externally. Since 2007 the partners, that is the two counties of Nordfriesland It is difficult to judge whether economic and Schleswig-Flensburg and the cooperation has improved. The city of Flensburg on the German side southern part of the border region was and the newly constituted Region attractive to Danish companies before South Denmark and the four cities of Denmark joined the EEC. Many Danish Haderslev, Tønder, Sønderborg and companies then opened branches in Aabenraa on the Danish side, each South Schleswig to have a foothold in appoint two members of the board. The the German and European markets. region’s Regional Council, consisting This practice has continued to a of 22 members (11 from each side), certain extent. Danish retail chains, in is its supreme organ. The members particular, use South Schleswig or are appointed by the partners’ elected Flensburg as a test market, before assemblies and other stakeholders expanding further into Germany. Thus in the cooperation such as the the German headquarters of the well- universities, labour organisations and known Danish furniture chain ‘Jysk’ is the national minorities.Additionally, there located near Flensburg. North of the is one observer each representing the border, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian Danish and the Schleswig-Holstein companies have established themselves governments, as well as two each because of the location close to the representing the largest political groups European market, and there is a in the Danish and the Schleswig- considerable, border-related logistics Holstein parliaments. cluster in Padborg just at the border. It is not apparent yet whether German
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 95 The Regional Council has established action plans developed annually by a six committees on environmental Euroregional conference. protection; spatial planning, rural districts and transportation; health and New networks of cooperation have social questions; youth and sports; also evolved. Already in 2001 Southern business development, labour market Jutland County in Denmark had and education; and culture, equal signed a cooperation agreement with opportunities and language. The council the Schleswig-Holstein land (regional has no legal political authority, but can government). This was supplemented pass resolutions on topics relevant to by a new agreement between Region the region as a whole. It has a budget South Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein supplied by the partners and thus in 2008, when administrative reform in has the competency to fund a limited Denmark abolished the counties and number of cross-border activities. created regions instead. As well as this, the border cities of Flensburg (in Even though cross-border cooperation Germany), Sønderborg and Aabenraa in the Danish-German border region (in Denmark) have formed the ‘Border has multiplied since the establishment Triangle’, following the example of the of Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig, triangular area of Kolding-Fredericia- and cross-border activities now take Vejle, a strong economic development place across a wide field with a broad region about 100 kilometres north of network of actors, there has also been the border. a lot of criticism. The main focus of this criticism has been the weakness of The effects of cross-border integration the region’s cross-border institutions. are still difficult to measure. The The Regional Council is considered too regional population’s awareness of large and ineffective, lacking concrete Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig is not competencies. It is not evident that very high; nor is its awareness of the political actors in the cross-border region cultural activities on the other side of the have shifted their loyalties and political border. Cross-border media coverage activities toward Region Sønderjylland- is at present half a page to a page in Schleswig as a new centre, whose the leading daily newspaper south of institutions take precedence over the the border, but only irregular in the pre-existing national states and their leading newspaper north of the border. administrative units, which would be the A regional, cross-border TV magazine precondition for the classic definition of was discontinued after INTERREG regional integration. As a consequence, funding ended, even though it had won the council discussed its own dissolution a European prize. in November 2010, as well as the dissolution of most of its committees There are no visible signs of a cross- (except the cultural committee). The border, regional identification in the alternative model of organisation being population. People meet as Germans discussed now is a permanent, eight- and Danes, with the exception of those member board to implement concrete inhabitants of the region who are tied
96 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 to the national minorities. Detectable the region. Political taboos have been regional identifications are connected overcome, and nobody today questions to present-day Southern Jutland in the general usefulness of cross-border Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein in cooperation. The minorities’ role as Germany, not to the historic Southern bridge builders has been acknowledged Jutland down to the Eider river or a by both sides, even though funding Schleswig-Holstein extending north to issues still can be controversial and lead the Kongeå river. to political upheavals, as was shown by the recently passed budget cuts A specific Schleswigian identity is that stopped equal funding of Danish historic. It was difficult to grasp already minority schools in South Schleswig, in the 1840s. Today, it can hardly compared to public schools. Meanwhile be detected outside the Danish and the regional politicians on the German German minorities. They are practically side have not given up in their quest to the only ones using Schleswig in promote a cross-border region: the most their nomenclature. Otherwise, while recent indication of this was the support ‘Slesvig’ has almost disappeared in of all three German border counties Danish language usage, Schleswig is for the Danish city of Sønderborg’s tied to Holstein in German language application to become European Capital usage: Schleswig-Holsteinischer of Culture in 2017. Zeitungsverlag (which until recently only published newspapers in German South Martin Klatt is Associate Professor Schleswig), Schleswig-Holsteinisches in the Department of Border Region Landestheater (which only performs Studies at the University of Southern in South Schleswig), and Schleswig- Denmark. He has been researching Holstein Bahn (which only operates the Danish-German border region trains in Holstein and Dithmarschen), since 1997, concentrating on the to name a few examples. Especially in national minorities in the region, South Schleswig, a Schleswigian identity regional cross-border cooperation is competing with several other local and cross-border institutions in identities. A traveller through the region this region and other European will notice plenty of red white and blue border regions. He holds Ph.D. Schleswig-Holstein flags flying in private in contemporary history from gardens south of the border, while the University of Southern Denmark and red and white Danish national flag is the an MA in History, Political Science exclusive banner north of the border. and Nordic Philology from University of Kiel, Germany. It can thus be concluded that there is no evolving cross-border region of Sønderjylland-Scheswig. On the other REFERENCES hand, networks have multiplied, and cross-border cooperation reaches out Hansen, Hans Schultz: Danskheden to most local institutions and more i Sydslesvig 1840-1918 som folkelig and more civil society organisations in og national bevægelse, Flensburg,
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 97 1990 [Danishness in South Schleswig Copenhagen Declarations in a European 1840-1918 as a popular and national Context eds. Jørgen Kühl and Marc movement] Weller, Aabenraa, 2005
Hansen, Hans Schultz: Klatt, Martin, Fra modspil til medspil? Hjemmetyskheden i Nordslesvig Grænseoverskridende samarbejde i 1840-1867 – den slesvig-holstenske Sønderjylland/Schleswig 1945-2005, bevægelse, Aabenraa, 2005 [Local Aabenraa, 2006 [From playing against Germans in North Schleswig 1840-1867 each other to playing with each other? – the Schleswig-Holstein movement] Cross-border cooperation in Southern Jutland/Schleswig] Klatt, Martin: 'Ein schleswigsches Volk. Das nationale Selbstverständnis Klatt, Martin, ‘Common Cross-Border der dänischen Minderheit und ihr Bild Regional History as an Approach to vom „Deutschen“ unmittelbar nach People-to-People Cooperation and dem Zweiten Weltkrieg‘ in Lange Cross-Border Regional Integration’ in Schatten. Ende der NS-Diktatur und Borderland Identities, ed. Madeleine frühe Nachkriegsjahre in Flensburg, Hurd, Eslöv, 2006 Flensburger Beiträge zur Zeitgeschichte 5, eds. Broder Schwensen Kühl, Jørgen, ed., En europæisk model? Nationale mindretal i det dansk-tyske Gerhard Paul and Peter Wulf, Flensburg, grænseland 1945-2000, Aabenraa, 2000. A Schleswig People. The national 2002 [A European model? National self-consciousness of the Danish minorities in the Danish-German minority and their image of the Germans borderland] immediately after the Second World War. Kühl, Jørgen and Weller, Marc, eds. Klatt, Martin, ‘Regional Cross-Border Minority Policy in Action: The Bonn- Cooperation – Ideological vs. Practical Copenhagen Declarations in a European Approach. A Theoretical Approach to Context, Aabenraa, 2005 Regional Cross-Border Cooperation Based on the Sønderjylland-Schleswig Case’ in Narva and the Baltic Sea Region: Papers Presented at the Second International Conference on Political and Cultural Relations between Russia and the Baltic Region States, ed. Karsten Brüggemann, Narva, 2004
Klatt, Martin, ‘The Danish-German Border Region as an Example for Integration in the European Context’ in Minority Policy in Action: The Bonn-
98 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 CO-OPERATION IRELAND: REMAINING RELEVANT IN A DIFFICULT RECESSIONARY AGE
Mary Minihan
The original cross-border peace-building charity, Co-operation Ireland – formerly Cooperation North – was founded 32 years ago. Like other voluntary organisations struggling with the legacy of the Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’ it faces the challenge of being either relevant or redundant in these difficult recessionary times. Mary Minihan
When the organisation's Chief Executive carried out by Co-operation Ireland, Peter Sheridan, a former Police Service has the potential to make agreement of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant between the North's politicians a Chief Constable, joined Co-operation reality at grassroots level. Perhaps Ireland in 2009, he said Northern Ireland only in this way can we complete the had achieved ‘peace with bigotry’ delicate process of banishing ingrained and described subtly-embedded intolerance, discrimination and exclusion sectarianism as the last major frontier from our shared island for good. to be tackled. As politicians narrow their focus to concentrate on economic Economic difficulties will probably matters during the present crisis, be with us for the bulk of the next they may long-finger important social decade at least, but, as difficult issues, and there is a risk of citizens as they appear to be and are for being left alone to muddle through the many, such pain will eventually pass. coming years with 'an acceptable level However, if the cold hand of so-called of sectarianism', to mangle Reginald dissident republicanism is allowed to Maulding's infamous line. develop a firmer grip on the futures of disenfranchised and disengaged young Where governments are failing or have people in estates across Northern failed, for whatever reason, to bring Ireland, that legacy will haunt the island's the peace process to a recognisably prospects and reputation for many years complete conclusion, the voluntary to come. sector has an obligation step up to the mark. At this critical juncture in our If such a depressing scenario were to history, direct intervention at community come to pass, the negative implications level, in projects such as those for economic development are clear:
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 99 longed-for investment from abroad will heading street gangs and were clearly simply never arrive. As First Minister at risk of embarking on a life devoted Peter Robinson conceded in an to anti-social behaviour, or perhaps interview with the Journal of Cross worse, were selected to participate in Border Studies in Ireland in 2009: ‘I'm the project. The aim – a tall order, some not sure that people in the United States sceptics might have said – was to turn or India or the Far East will particularly the teenagers into positive role models distinguish which side of the border on for their peers and to help them win the the island they're on. So the more stable respect of the wider community. and inviting the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are, the better for both They began a programme of personal of us’. development, digital media training and supervised recreational activities. With The US economic envoy to Northern the help of a scriptwriter from BBC's Ireland Declan Kelly insisted last May Eastenders soap opera and state- that dissident republican activity would of-the-art equipment, the teenagers not affect Derry’s bid to be UK City of created and produced a short film, Culture in 2013. He was right and it did entitled Wasted, which was screened not. But Derry's competitors for the title in Belfast's Odeon Cinema. Some of in Norwich, Sheffield and Birmingham the youngsters had never previously must have been nonplussed by the ventured further than the neighbouring news the following October that the Real town of Lisburn. IRA had detonated a car bomb with more than 100kg of explosives outside a The response of a local shop owner hotel in the city. to this pioneering initiative will be understood by anyone living in a On the Kilwilkie Estate community where youths have created an uneasy atmosphere on the streets: One of the initiatives Peter Sheridan has ‘Normally these kids torture me on a overseen in his new role has been a Friday night. Now I see a completely pilot project undertaken in the deprived different side to them. It's the best thing Kilwilkie estate in north Lurgan, where that has happened to them.’ Among dissident republicans are said to have the young people themselves, one said considerable support, and youths being involved in the project ‘makes you attacked police on several occasions want to get up in the morning’ while last summer, and even tried to hijack the another said ‘it's getting me off the Belfast-Dublin train. This is a creative streets, and I'm learning new things’. example of an evolved approach to peace-building by Co-operation Ireland, Co-operation Ireland's intervention now in its 32nd year. does not end there. Such projects also seek to improve the participants’ 18 young people who might in wealthier employment prospects. The next phase areas be recognised for having obvious of the Kilwilkie project will see the leadership potential, but in Kilwilkie were young people participating in internship
100 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Young leaders from the Kilwilkie Estate in Lurgan involved in the Co-operation Ireland programme programmes in well-known companies using tried and tested problem-solving ranging from hairdressing chains to strategies. Civic-Link has operated in global banking institutions. Funding more than 200 schools since the late applications have also been submitted 1990s, and more than 10,000 students so that other similar communities in have participated and have been taught south Lurgan, Coleraine, the Shantallow new advocacy, civic participation and and Fountain areas of Derry City and relationship-building skills. Limerick can reap the benefits of the Kilwilkie project. Co-operation Ireland is the island’s largest cross-border peace and Another major schools-based project, reconciliation organisation (and Civic-Link, aims to encourage young the second oldest, after the Irish people in both Irish jurisdictions to Association). It was established in 1979 engage positively in the development as Co-operation North by the late Dr of their own communities and in Brendan O'Regan (the man behind understanding the perspectives of the world’s first airport-based duty free others. Schools are partnered on a industrial estate at Shannon) with the cross-community and cross-border aim of building mutual respect and basis. They identify and research understanding between the peoples of problems specific to their communities the Republic of Ireland and Northern and attempt to develop solutions Ireland through practical co-operation.
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 101 With great foresight, O'Regan saw this Dublin and Belfast. In 1999 this was as the greatest challenge then facing the replaced by the Bordertrek cycle along island of Ireland. the border. The original Dublin-Belfast Maracyle was reinstated in 2009 as part Through the organisation's early years in of the organisation’s 30th anniversary the difficult political climate of the 1980s, and will take place this year on Co-operation North's concentration was 25-26 June. initially on research. Its first publications in that decade were on economic In the mid-1990s, the Queen and indicators, demographic and labour President Mary Robinson became force statistics. Its most high profile joint patrons of the organisation, with event during this time was probably the President Mary McAleese succeeding Maracycle, which over a period of 15 Mrs Robinson in 1997. In 1998, after the years (1984-1998) saw a total of 45,000 signing of the Good Friday Agreement, cyclists taking part in an annual two- the organisation changed its name day, 200 mile mass cycle ride between
For further information contact: Joe Lavery (Coordinator) EURES Cross Border Partnership
Tel: +44 (0)75 0001 7268 Email: [email protected] www.eures-crossborder.org
102 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 from Co-operation North to Co- operation Ireland.
1996 was an important year in the organisation's development, as it became one of the ‘intermediary funding bodies’ administering large amounts of European money to deliver the cross- border dimension of the first EU PEACE programme for Northern Ireland and the Southern border counties. It was also an ‘intermediary funding body’ for the follow-up PEACE II and INTERREG Co-operation Ireland Chief Executive, IIIA (cross-border) programmes in Peter Sheridan 2000-2006. It currently has a similar role as ‘lead partner’ in the PEACE III in applied sciences and a diploma in programme (2007-2013). However criminology from Cambridge University. despite this new role, with its welcome He was first attracted to a police career influx of EU funds, much of Co-operation when he was 16, taking the advice of Ireland’s money continues to come a teacher at St Michael's College in from business and other philanthropic Enniskillen, Fr. Peadar Livingstone. supporters in Ireland, Britain and the US. Under the leadership of Head of Progressing through painful phases Communications and Fundraising, Terry O’Neill, the organisation has built Sheridan sees Northern Ireland as being an enviable reputation as a successful in the process of progressing through a fund-raiser. number of often quite painful phases. He has given these phases a series of titles: Peter Sheridan, originally from peace-keeping, peace-making, peace- Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, had been building (the current phase) and finally tipped as a likely Chief Constable and peace-sharing. In the peace-keeping there was some surprise when he left phase, the police and the army played the PSNI to join Co-operation Ireland. a pre-eminent role, while the peace- He was the most senior Catholic officer making phase during the 1990s saw the in the force, having served 30 years politicians take the lead. It could be said in first the RUC and then the PSNI. In that this peace-making phase, during an interview conducted when he took which the political parties thrashed up his new post, he described his out the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday main function as a police officer with Agreement and strategised about the characteristic frankness as having been idea of a shared future, really only came to ‘stop people murdering each other’. to a conclusion as recently as April of last year, with the devolution of policing He graduated from the FBI Academy in and justice, and the appointment of the 1999 and also holds an honours degree
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 103 Alliance Party's leader, David Ford, as Ahern, who has referred to sectarianism Northern Ireland Minister for Justice. in Northern Ireland as ‘the dangerous bit that’s remaining’. The first locally elected politician to have control of justice since 1972, More contact may need to take place Ford made headlines in the Republic with the Irish Labour Party, Sheridan when he revealed, at a recent session concedes, following the recent surprise of the Oireachtas Committee on the suggestion by one of that party’s senior Implementation of the Good Friday figures, Joe Costello, that the Republic Agreement, that Catholic representation might no longer be able to afford to in the PSNI now stands at almost 30 per honour road-upgrading commitments cent, while 25 per cent of its officers – linking Monaghan with Derry and are women. Letterkenny and improving access to Larne harbour – to which the Irish However despite this good news on the government has committed some £400 policing front, one continuing problem million (€466 million). is that while governments tend to work in five-year electoral cycles, Sheridan Sheridan acknowledges that, through believes that the current ‘peace-building’ no fault of its own, Co-operation Ireland phase of the Northern Ireland peace has sometimes found itself perceived process could could take 15-20 years as being located in a particular moment or longer. This is the kind of timescale in time – the era of the Belfast/Good Co-operation Ireland works to. Friday Agreement. Nearly 13 years on from that epoch-changing agreement, It is likely that there will be a new it is worth looking back at some of the government – probably a Fine Gael- organisation's key developments and Labour coalition – in power in Dublin by placing them in their proper context. the time this journal is published in the spring of 2011. A new administration At least two generations to succeed in the Republic naturally means a fresh relationship with Northern Ireland. When the organisation's founder, Essential and practical groundwork has Brendan O'Regan, died in 2008, Co- already been done by Co-operation operation Ireland’s then Chief Executive Ireland in this regard. Fine Gael leader Tony Kennedy said ‘his greatest Enda Kenny spent an afternoon with memorial is the changed relationship the organisation's personnel in Belfast between both parts of the island of recently, and the former Fine Gael Ireland’. A well-known early paper by Taoiseach John Bruton recently joined its O'Regan, 'A Far, Far Better Way', had board. The hugely influential international outlined the new organisation’s aim as lawyer, banker and businessman Peter working together ‘to abolish violence Sutherland – himself a former Attorney and the fear and hatred on which it General in a Fine Gael government - is feeds by developing ways in which also among the board members, as we can get to know and understand is former Fianna Fail Taoiseach Bertie each other better’. Kennedy spoke of
104 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 President McAleese with the choir of Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane, Cork, winners of the 2010 Co-operation Ireland All-Island School Choir Competition. conversations he had with O’Regan began developing what became known in his seventies in which the founder as ‘the Co-operation Ireland reciprocal had insisted on the importance of exchange model’ with its cross-border ‘succeeding generations continuing with schools and youth projects. Participating this work which would take at least two schools and youth groups began to generations to succeed.’ be linked on a North-South basis and the young people encouraged to The programmes established by the explore issues of cultural identity and organisation in the 1980s and 1990s reconciliation. brought people from different religious and political traditions together to meet The organisation was also at that and make contact, with subsequent time providing a safe environment for opportunities to take part in projects business people from the Catholic covering youth leadership, the arts nationalist tradition to talk in a and citizenship engagement. In 1981 meaningful way with people from the Co-operation USA was founded to Protestant unionist tradition, as well as support the work, and a Belfast office those from the Republic, often for the was opened in 1982. The following first time. It began hosting a series of year saw the launch of 15 experimental North-South economic conferences in cross-border projects in different sectors the late 1980s. including industry, trade, education and sport. In the mid-1980s, the organisation
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 105 In the nineties, it moved into other areas. improvements and initiatives undertaken A conference tackling homelessness on by local communities to provoke civic both sides of the border was hosted in pride in their area and create long- 1993 and the following year a hospitality lasting positive impacts on their society. programme began fostering links Award-winning activities have included between the Irish Hotel and Catering developing community centres, tackling Institute and the Hotel Catering and social exclusion issues and providing Institutional Management Association. childcare facilities.The second annual In 2002 an all-island Local Authority Co-operation Ireland All-Island School Steering Forum was established to Choir Competition took place last encourage sustainable approaches to year and was won by Presentation cross-border relationships between Secondary School in Ballyphehane, local councils. Cork. The final was broadcast live on RTÉ from the Waterfront Hall in Belfast 2006 saw the establishment of the in front of an audience which included ArtsLinks programme, which used President McAleese. the arts to challenge young people to explore and push the boundaries of Tackling sectarianism their own thinking in order to examine attitudes to diversity within Irish society, Sheridan has pushed hard for Co- North and South. This programme operation Ireland's long-cherished also trained and equipped teachers to concept of ‘overcoming division for develop their skills in using drama mutual benefit’ to be treated as just and film-making as community as important as any other government relations tools. policy area. While the impact of the organisation's work can be difficult to Recent years have seen an increased quantify, and progress on the elimination emphasis on the ‘nitty-gritty’ of peace- of the deep cancer of sectarianism building at community level. In 2007, difficult to measure, government policy the CORE project evolved out of a pilot in this area should be given the same partnership between the people of two significance and attention to detail traditionally under-privileged areas: as economic policy, he argues. ‘The Short Strand and inner East Belfast breeder of violence is sectarianism in the North and Finglas and Cabra in and it's still out there. That issue must Dublin. Among the events facilitated be tackled. If you look at government by the project were tours of the two policies, they're largely focused around communities, visits to Stormont, youth the economy now. Social policy and and sporting exchanges, and activities community development are not on for parents. their radar.’
Projects on the 'softer' side of the The organisation sees its current role spectrum continue. These include the as underpinning and consolidating all-island Pride of Place competition, the accommodation at political introduced in 2003. This recognises level, enshrined in the Belfast and St
106 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 IRISH PEACE CENTRES An Integrated Approach to Peace-Building.
Irish Peace Centres (IPC) is a consortium of legacy peace-building organisations which seeks to extend and embed reconciliation within and between communities by creating a strategic consortium to deliver a range of peace-building activities. Irish Peace Centres facilitates a number of interrelated activities that explore our experiences with conflict and look at ways to transform different perceptions in a post-conflict society. Through experiential learning exchanges, discussion, group challenges, storytelling and tailored activities, participants explore ways of embedding reconciliation into their everyday lives. Through these different activities, Irish Peace Centres has successfully engaged a wide range of stakeholders in society including faith groups, women’s groups, ex-combatants, young people, minority ethnic groups and other communities.
When first established in 2008, IPC was constituted of Co-operation Ireland, Corrymeela Community, Donegal Peace Centre and Glencree Peace and Reconciliation Centre. Unfortunately, in July 2010, The Donegal Peace Centre ceased trading and now, IPC is three.
While we have decreased in size in terms of organisations, our work parameters remain the same: to build the consortium and networks throughout the sector; to engage groups and individuals in interface reconciliation; to capture and share the learning through conferences, seminars, publications and training; and to foster sustainable positive relations through the in-depth core group process and faith in positive relations. Core themes run through this wide range of strands that hold them together and provide a supporting backbone to what we do: integrated approach and reflective practice.
The idea behind the consortium is that we can be more than the sum of our separate parts by working collaboratively across organisations and through the delivery of our projects with community groups and individuals who come from a range of different backgrounds. Over the last two years we have been developing this integrated approach to delivery and can now really see the added value of working as part of the consortium; it has allowed each organisation to develop and share their expertise to strengthen each partner’s own peace and reconciliation impacts.
IPC also focuses on being reflective in our practice; new and existing projects are delivered based on issue based action research, focused seminars and analysis of evaluation of the work we do by self-assessment of the impacts we see and through the evaluation provided by our participants. It is important to us that we capture the learning of our projects. This will further embed the impact of the peace and reconciliation interventions that we build and will influence how we design our projects and respond to the needs we are presented with on the ground.
Irish Peace Centres a project supported by the EU’s Peace III Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.
More information on our programmes, events and training is available on our website: www.irishpeacecentres.org. Andrews Agreements, at community Bertie Ahern – have departed the level – within Northern Ireland, between scene has also impacted hugely on the Northern Ireland and the Republic of nature of coverage of political events Ireland and between Northern Ireland in Northern Ireland, he says. These and Britain. Sheridan believes strongly figures were replaced by what might be that sustainable peace requires best described as a series of low-key agreement both at the level of the managers. ‘’We can't leave it to the political and societal elite and through political elite. They're about politics, and embedding it in the fabric of society, politics by its very nature is adversarial. with the strengthening of relationships Sometimes politicians have to play to between and within communities on that tune,’ says Sheridan. the ground. ‘Relationships are still not normal when you have segregated Transition to ‘peace-sharing’ education and peace walls. We've got the political agreement. This is about The ultimate goal of Co-operation seeking to normalise relationships at Ireland is to assist with the transition to community level. It's about people-to- what Sheridan calls 'peace-sharing'. people relationships. That's the way However he believes that even before you underpin political agreement,’ he Northern Ireland has arrived at that stresses. point, it is more than entitled to offer itself as a symbol of hope to other The organisation Sheridan fronts regions currently experiencing the heat cites a series of simple values in its of conflict. He insists there is a duty to vision statement: ‘In carrying out share the lessons of the current phase its mission, Co-operation Ireland is of peace-building, and all the learning guided by and gives expression to the and experience involved, with troubled following values: respect for people communities outside Ireland. ‘There's and their rights; inclusion, equality and a responsibility to give something back. fairness; accountability, integrity and We got support and help from world transparency’. leaders. We shouldn't lose sight of the huge progress we've made. Probably Sheridan's concern is that both about 1,000 people’s lives have been Northern Ireland and the Republic saved. Of course we have something to are drifting aimlessly in what he calls offer other countries, especially those the 'peace-building' phase. While the who are further back in their conflict Republic struggles with its own serious resolution,’ he says. economic problems, there is a danger that the distance between the two Sheridan adds that while things are jurisdictions begins to appear greater far from perfect, the peace process is than it is in reality. rightly lauded, and there are extensive opportunities for overseas groups to The fact that many of the 'big come and study Northern Ireland’s personalities' in the peace process – experience, and learn from its mistakes Tony Blair, Bill Clinton, George Mitchell, as well as what was done correctly.
108 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Particularly worthy of examination, he youth clubs, all a short distance away believes, would be the things the media from each other, in order to facilitate and churches did well and not so well segregated communities, is somewhere during the years of the ‘Troubles’. ‘We in the region of €1.5 billion per year are closer than ever before to achieving across Northern Ireland. the dream of a peaceful and stable island, free of sectarianism, where ‘We have to recognise that it remains cultural and political differences are difficult for people to live together. not ignored but respected, and where Relationships have to be allowed to people of all backgrounds not only can cement and mature. The ultimate but are willing to live and work together aim would be to avoid duplication of for a better future,’ he says. schools, community centres and so on, but it'll take 15 to 20 years. That's why However, he points out that peace walls it requires the same passion and energy have multiplied, while social housing and from governments as economic policy.' education remain to a very large extent segregated, inevitably meaning that the As the largest North-South co-operation dividends of peace come dropping more and reconciliation organisation, should slowly than they otherwise might. ‘The Co-operation Ireland adopt a particular almost terminal division between some leadership role as the transition takes communities has not been adequately place from an abnormal, damaged addressed by politicians at a grassroots society to a properly functioning pluralist level, and is further evidence that democracy and community? Sheridan governments have failed to prosecute advocates increased co-operation with the peace process to its end. Despite other peace-building organisations. ‘One the obvious progress that has been thing I've tried to get the organisation made, people still feel insecure, anxious to find out is what the model is for the and unsafe – quite often with very good future. It's not just about sustaining the reason. Of course, it remains easier to organisation for the sake of sustaining it. perpetuate myths and stereotypes about That can be uncomfortable for staff.” those ”on the other side of the wall”, or even physically attack them, so long as He says Co-operation Ireland and you do not get an opportunity to come other similar groups can serve not only to know them on a human level,’ as facilitators but also as catalysts he says. of community development and integration. ‘Things have changed. What Sheridan says the economic argument remains is the unfinished part of the against segregation has always been peace process. Particularly in working very strong and is more applicable class areas, it's as if the peace process than ever in the current economic has excluded them. They've seen an downturn. He estimates that the cost of absence of violence, but the peace maintaining separate health centres and dividend hasn't arrived.’ separate leisure centres and separate
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 109 An integrated future cannot be allowed to take the easy option of preaching to the converted Using their wide range of political, and the middle-classes, but must opt business and other contacts built up for the more difficult task of reaching over years, Co-operation Ireland staff out to the underprivileged and delivering and board members can push the projects in places like Kilwilkie, where notion that the creation of an integrated the young people involved had learned future cannot solely be about economic that ‘the only thing they were good at cooperation and that social policy was being bad’. He notes that if such must increasingly be pushed to the projects save a handful of youngsters forefront. Governments everywhere have from opting for the wrong path in life, traditionally been guilty of failing to value they will have been more than worth the the community and voluntary sector, funding and time invested in them. Sheridan says. On the other hand, he emphasises that voluntary agencies Sheridan hopes that Co-operation must also be held to account. They Ireland's work can also help stimulate
110 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 the curiosity of young people in other the last 35 years, because ‘it’s the only parts of the island. ‘Why is it that, on place, and I’ve been in a lot of conflicts, such a small land mass, people in where someone will tell you a joke in the Coleraine, for example, have so little middle of a riot’. interest in what happens in Cork, and vice versa? I still think there's an element Sheridan emphasises that there is a of prejudice on both sides. Sometimes role for the wider nationalist community there's a perception down south that in tackling the issue of Republican there's only sectarianism in the North, dissidents, as well as the ingrained but it exists there too.’ sectarianism which continues to exist on both sides of the traditional divide. Within Northern Ireland, looking forward He argues that it must be addressed by does not mean forgetting the past. a variety of organisations, including the Sheridan says many people in Northern Catholic Church, the Irish Government Ireland who have suffered grievously and the GAA, as well as Sinn Fein and during the ‘Troubles’ have now been the SDLP. effectively asked to ‘live with their abusers’ and must be treated with ‘I'm not sure people have recognised sensitivity. quickly enough that this is a new phase. The focus has been more on politics He says Co-operation Ireland – a and politicians and less on communities relatively small organisation of some and relationships. We should be looking 40 energetic people - can only do so collectively at the future, as opposed much. Co-operation Ireland staff work to continuing to do what's always hard to secure a media profile at a time been done.’ when Northern Ireland is something of a ‘switch off’ for both journalists and the Mary Minihan reports on politics public which reads, watches and listens for the Irish Times in Dublin. to them. High profile names, such as Previously she worked as political the veteran BBC reporter Kate Adie, correspondent for the Newstalk are persuaded to travel to Northern 106-108 radio station. She is from Ireland and share their experience with Derry and has a degree from Oxford local young people. Adie spoke in an University. inspiring fashion at the Co-operation Ireland Student Journalism Conference in February 2010. The title of the conference, ‘The Transition from Conflict to Reconciliation’, acknowledged that peace had changed the dynamic of reporting in Northern Ireland. Adie said she did not think the media had a role to play in promoting reconciliation. But in a lighter moment she reminisced that she had loved coming to Belfast over
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 111 INDEX OF JOURNAL ARTICLES
The following articles appeared in the Journal of Cross Border Studies in Ireland, Numbers 1-6 (2006-2011). They are listed in alphabetical order according to author.
Austin, Roger. Dissolving Boundaries in North-South education. No.5 (2010)
Barry, John. Towards a Green New Deal on the island of Ireland: from economic crisis to a new polítical economy of sustainability. No.5 (2010)
Beck, Joachim. Lessons from an Institute for Cross-Border Cooperation on the Franco-German Border. No.3 (2008)
Bradley, John. Learning from the Irish Border: Reflections on Poland and the Ukraine. No.2 (2007)
Bradley, John, and Best, Michael. By-passed places? The post-Belfast Agreement Border Region economy. No.6 (2011)
Clarke, Patricia and Jamison, Jim. Cross-Border Health Cooperation: From Optimism to Realism. No.1 (2006)
Clarke, Patricia and Kinsella, Ray. Cross-border banking in an era of financial crisis: EU rules need not apply. No.4 (2009)
Coakley, John. Voting for unity or union? The complexities of public opinión on the border issue. No.4 (2009)
Coolahan, John. SCoTENS: How Teacher Educators took the lead in North-South Cooperation. No.3 (2008)
Cowen, Brian. Making the here and now a better place: interview on North-South cooperation with the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen. No.5 (2010)
Creamer, Caroline, Blair, Neale, O’Keefe, Brendan, Van Egeraat, Chris and Driscoll, John. Tough Love: Local Cross-Border Cooperation faces the Challenge of Sustainability. No.3 (2008)
Farrell, Michael. Keeping up with the neighbours: Human Rights protection, North and South, since the Belfast Agreement. No.6 (2011)
Foley, Ronan, Charlton, Martin and Clarke, Patricia. Surveying the Sickbeds: Initial Steps towards Modelling All-Island Hospital Accessibility. No.3 (2008)
112 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Gaffney, Maureen, and Ringland, Trevor. Towards a new Tourism Brand for the Island of Ireland. No.3 (2008)
Gibson, Chris. A word from the chairman. Nos. 1-6 (2006-2011)
Harvey, Brian. Community development along the border: an instrument for the development of the cross-border region? No.5 (2010)
Kennedy, Michael and Magennis, Eoin. North-South Agenda Setting in the 1960s and 1990s: Plus ca change? No.2 (2007)
Kitchin, Rob, Bartley, Brendan, Gleeson, Justin, Cowman, Mick, Fotheringham, Stewart and Lloyd, Chris. Joined-up Thinking across the Irish Border: Making the data more compatible. No.2 (2007)
Klatt, Martin. Sønderjylland-Schleswig: from conflict to cooperation in the Danish- German border región. No.6 (2011)
Magennis, Eoin, Clarke, Patricia, and Shiels, Joseph. Is Cross-Border Cooperation Working? Some Lessons from Border Ireland. No.1 (2006)
Magennis, Eoin, MacFeeley, Steve, and Gough, Aidan. A sense of proportion in cross-border shopping: what the most recent statistics show. No. 5 (2010)
McCall, Cathal. ‘Hello Stranger’: the Revival of the Relationship between Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland. No.2 (2007)
McCloughan, Pat. University of Ulster and Letterkenny IT: a unique opportunity for higher education collaboration in the north-west. No.5 (2010)
McGuinness, Martin. ‘We need to be big and generous towards each other’: interview with the NI Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, on North-South cooperation. No.6 (2011)
McKay, Susan. Dealing with cross-border sex offenders: Learning from the North’s multi-agency approach. No.4 (2009)
Minihan, Mary. Co-operation Ireland: remaining relevant in a difficult recessionary age. No.6 (2011)
Morgenroth, Edgar. The Dublin-Belfast rail line: the need for a better service to lower North-South economic barriers. No.6 (2011)
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 113 Mullan, Caitriona. Partnership in Cross-Border Development: Symbolic Structure and Working Process. No.2 (2007)
O’Broin, Eoin. Nationalism in the service of a better chance for a bigger life: a response to Robin Wilson. No.5 (2010)
O’Dowd, Liam. The Future of Cross-Border Cooperation: Issues of Sustainability. No.1 (2006)
Pollak, Andy. Educational Cooperation on the island of Ireland: Are the Good Years ending? No.1 (2006)
Pollak, Andy. The Trade Unions and North-South Cooperation: Time for a Rethink? No.3 (2008)
Pollak, Andy, and D’Arcy, Michael. What role for North-South economic cooperation in a time of recession? Interviews with six business leaders and economists. No.4 (2009)
Robinson, Peter. ‘Business to be done and benefits to be gained’: the views of Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Peter Robinson, on North-South Cooperation. No.4 (2009)
Toibin, Colm. Along the Catalan and Irish borders: politics of memory and progress through good manners. No.5 (2010)
Vigier, Francois, Driscoll, John, and Lee-Chuvala, Christa. ‘Ad Hoc’ Regionalism: Managing Growth through Spatial Planning – Learning from the American Experience. No.1 (2006)
Vigier, Francois. Learning to be good neighbours: The role of cross-border spatial planning in Ireland. No.4 (2009)
Wilde, Jane. Food security and health on the island of Ireland: are we sleepwalking into a crisis? No.6 (2011)
Wilson, Robin. Towards cosmopolitanism? Renewing Irishness in the 21st century. No.4 (2009)
Back issues of The Journal of Cross Border Studies in Ireland are available from the Centre for Cross Border Studies in Armagh (contact details on page 179) at a price of £12/€14, including postage and packing.
114 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 The then Minister of Foreign Affairs (now leader of Fianna Fail), Micheál Martin TD, launches the 2010 ‘Journal of Cross Border Studies in Ireland’. From left to right: Dr Jane Wilde, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, Mr Martin, CCBS Vice-Chair, Dr Pauric Travers, Helen Johnston, Noel Treacy TD.
THE CENTRE FOR CROSS BORDER STUDIES
March 2011 Queen’s University Belfast, Dublin City University and the Workers’ Educational The Centre for Cross Border Association (Northern Ireland). Its Studies, founded in September principal financial contributors in the past 1999 and based in Armagh and year have been the EU INTERREG IVA Dublin, researches and develops programme and the Irish Department of cooperation across the Irish Education and Science. The Centre has border in education, training, also raised a significant proportion of its health, ICT, the economy, public income through sponsorship and selling administration, agriculture, planning, its research and consultancy services to the environment and other practical government and other agencies. areas. It also provides management, training and ICT support services Controversy about constitutional to North-South and cross-border relations between Northern Ireland organisations and networks, and and the Republic of Ireland now develops and manages cross-border obscures less than ever before the information websites. broad consensus that exists in both jurisdictions about the value of cross- The Centre is an independent company border cooperation on practical issues. limited by guarantee (UK charity no. This holds that a low level of contact and XR 31047) and is owned jointly by communication across the Irish border
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 115 damages the well-being of both parts union and social partnership bodies, of the island, and there is a clear need and the wider public; to identify and overcome the present • Provide management support for barriers to cooperation and mutual North-South and cross-border understanding. organisations and programmes which have a strong education, PURPOSE research and development dimension; The pragmatic view, that cooperation • Provide training programmes for should take place where it brings real public officials and others in North- benefits to both parts of the island, is South cooperation in Ireland; weakened by an additional factor: there • Provide sources of comprehensive has been too little research to date on and accurate information about how this practical cooperation is to be North-South and cross-border achieved, and how the outcomes of cooperation in Ireland. such research should be developed. For the past 12 years the Centre for WEBSITES Cross Border Studies – itself a unique expression of cross-border cooperation CCBS HOUSE WEBSITE – has provided an objective, university- based setting for policy research into and development of such cooperation.
The Centre is a policy research and development institute, whose purpose is to:
• Identify gaps in cross-border information, research and mutual learning in Ireland; • Commission and publish research on issues related to opportunities for and obstacles to cross-border www.crossborder.ie cooperation in all fields of society and the economy; The number of people accessing the • Host events at which research Centre’s home website increased findings can be discussed and across all measurements in 2010 disseminated, and at which policy – visitors, number of visits, page formation in the area of cross-border views and hits – with a particularly cooperation can be developed; dramatic rise in the number of page • Present the findings of such views, which increased by more research and development projects than 10,000 per month and have now to the European Commission, the risen by more than six times since two governments, the Northern 2003. Ireland Executive, employer, trade
116 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 In May 2010 a redesigned and The figures for the Border Ireland upgraded www.crossborder.ie website website (www.borderireland.info) was launched in Derry by the Chief declined slightly over its 2009 high point Executives of the Derry and Letterkenny (except for page views), with the Media Chambers of Commerce, Sinead Centre continuing to be the main page McLaughlin and Toni Forrester, at a visited (see below). seminar organised by Border People. www.crossborder.ie Year Visitors Visits Page views Hits (monthly average) 2003 1619 2161 4802 14373 2004 1453 2084 9178 18981 2005 2566 3603 8127 24747 2006 3481 4915 10149 30534 2007 3969 5432 12041 32207 2008 4340 6060 15930 37045 2009 3621 5156 19338 43007 2010 4054 6490 29449 63317 www.borderireland.ie 2009 3801 7043 24840 82984 2010 2994 6544 25178 55486
BORDER IRELAND www.borderireland.info Formally launching it in March 2006, the then Irish Minister for Finance, Brian Border Ireland is the first ever Cowen TD, said: online searchable database to provide access to the full This website will be the keystone for range of information on North- information provision that will enable us South and cross-border issues all to meet future challenges, be they in Ireland, covering education, economic, social or educational. I would health, agriculture, transport, the encourage everyone who wishes to environment, tourism, culture, benefit from a cross-border approach mobility issues, business and to their activities to make use of this community development. invaluable website.
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 117 2,048 publications, 2,276 newspaper articles and 2,345 individual contacts (people).
Border Ireland is available at www.borderireland.info where people can search through the information by year, sector and location, and view an organisation’s history of involvement in cross-border cooperation.
A second 2006-2008 phase of the project was implemented through support provided under the EU Peace II Extension Programme. The key objective for this second phase was to develop Border Ireland as the recognised portal for information on and communication With funding from the EU Peace II about cross-border cooperation on the programme, the Centre developed island of Ireland. Border Ireland to centralise the very large amount of uncoordinated Following a facelift in 2008, the Border and fragmented information about Ireland Media Centre was introduced to North-South cooperation and the highlight media reports on North-South Irish border region. This has involved and cross-border issues. The Media the creation of an information Centre is now the most popular and capture strategy and strong working visited page on the site with almost 6,000 relationships with a network of over page views during January 2011. This 200 information providers from all RSS* news feed is syndicated on three of government departments, North and the Centre’s other websites namely South; the managing authorities for all www.crossborder.ie, EU programmes; relevant charitable www.borderpeople.info and foundations on the island; research www.scotens.org. coordinators in all higher education institutions, and key community and Also during this phase, an interactive voluntary, and business leaders. discussion forum was developed to disseminate Border Ireland Briefings, By the end of January 2011 Border to provide responses to ‘A Note from Ireland had documented (online) the the Next Door Neighbours’ (see below), details of 3,782 North-South and cross- and to communicate progress in border activities, 1,790 organisations, collecting data for and maintaining this
* RSS (most commonly translated as Really Simple Syndication) is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated items such as blog entries, news headlines, audio and video in a standardized format.
118 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 very large database. The Border Ireland Usage in 2010 Briefings now on the site are: a guide to cross-border cooperation in the health Visitors Visits Pages services; cooperation between public January 8200 8695 16446 libraries; a guide to the geographical February 6819 7256 14474 location of cross-border cooperation March 7695 8175 16208 activities; an overview of North- April 5798 6205 12425 South and cross-border cooperation May 5844 6287 14252 in the Common Chapter of the two June 5745 6168 13285 jurisdictions’ development plans; ‘Who’s July 6068 6517 13356 Who’ in North-South and cross-border August 5852 6329 13502 cooperation; and overviews of North- September 6592 7186 16145 South and cross-border cooperation October 7016 7610 18058 in agriculture, economic development, November 7417 8053 17348 tourism and transport. December 4686 5083 12262 Monthly BORDER PEOPLE Average 6478 7043 14813 www.borderpeople.info N.B. In the past year the DID section of the NI Department of Finance and Personnel has installed a more sophisticated method of measuring web statistics. These statistics can therefore not be compared with previous years’ statistics.
The prototype website was officially launched (initially as www. crossbordermobility.info) in October 2007 at a meeting of the North South The Border People online Ministerial Council in Ballymascanlon, information portal, providing useful Co. Louth by the First Minister of citizens’ information for people Northern Ireland, Dr Ian Paisley MP crossing the border to live, work, MLA, the Deputy First Minister, Mr study or retire, is now four years old. Martin McGuinness MP MLA and the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr It was developed in response to a Dermot Ahern TD. Work continued on commission from the North South the site, and it was launched to the Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat in public as www.borderpeople.info early 2007 with technical assistance in Dublin in April 2008 (by television from DID (Delivery and Innovation and radio presenter Clare Byrne) and Division), the web and design team of in Derry/Londonderry in May 2008 (by the Northern Ireland Department of Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Finance and Personnel, and funded by Martin McGuinness MP MLA). It received the EU Peace Two programme. widespread publicity throughout
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 119 Northern Ireland and the Southern 2010 there were poster campaigns on border region, including a full page in the billboards, adshels and buses in Newry, Belfast Telegraph. Armagh, Enniskillen, Coleraine, Derry/ Londonderry, Dundalk, Letterkenny, The Border People public information Bundoran and Monaghan to coincide website – the first of its kind on with key events in the region’s tourism, the island of Ireland – is structured business and cross-border shopping around the four themes of Commute, calendars, and leaflets and pens were Work, Live, Study. It includes in distributed at targeted events. depth information on a range of subjects in both Irish jurisdictions, A User Group of cross-border including taxation, social security, mobility information providers and job seeking, qualifications, health, users – including citizens advice education, housing, banking and bureaux, government agencies, health telecommunications. The website organisations, cross-border local content has been continuously updated authority networks, the EURES cross- in consultation with other advice and border employment service, community information providers such as Citizens groups, business groups and individual Advice Bureau Northern Ireland and firms – met twice in 2010 in May (in the Citizens Information Board in the Derry) and September (in Dundalk). Both Republic of Ireland. of these User Group seminars were on the topic ‘The Cross-Border Worker’, There is a continuing demand for with speakers from the EURES Cross- information and advice on cross-border border Partnership and John McMahon mobility issues. The number of page and Co, a firm of accountants with views on the Border People website offices in Newry and Dundalk who during 2011 was on average 14,813 specialise in cross-border tax per month read by 6,478 visitors. The and finance. Border People team also receive an average of about 30 queries per month The EURES (European Employment via the comment facility on the website, Services) Cross-border Partnership email or telephone. (www.eures-crossborder.org) was established to make things easier for This second phase of the Border People those who wish to commute across the website (2009-2011) is currently being border to work by attempting to address maintained and developed by the Centre the information gaps which workers and in partnership with the North South their employers face, such as how the Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat taxation system works or how social and funded by the EU’s INTERREG IVA security entitlements might be affected programme as part of the INICCO group by taking a job on the other side of of projects. the border.
An all-Ireland and international marketing A wide range of topics were discussed company, Weber Shandwick, was at both these seminars including: retained to publicise the initiative. During • The complexity of the Habitually
120 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Sinead McLaughlin, CEO of Derry Chamber of Commerce and Toni Forrester, CEO of Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce launch the new Centre for Cross Border Studes website (www. crossborder.ie) at a Border People user group in Derry.
Resident Condition – which has to In August-September 2010 a user be met if people are to qualify for survey was carried out in collaboration welfare payments in the Republic of with Indecon Economic Consultants Ireland – and the problems caused which showed that 92% of respondents by its application; ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ with the • the delays associated with cross- statement that Border People is ‘an border welfare queries, with calls important and valuable resource’ for being made for a dedicated unit to people living and working in the Irish specialise in claims with a cross- border región. border dimension; • the desirability of a more uniform At a seminar in Dublin In November or all-island approach to tax and 2010, the international lawyer and expert welfare issues; on EU mobility issues (and the Irish • the unfamiliar requirements of having representative on the European Network to complete self-assessment tax on Free Movement within the EU), John forms in the other Irish jurisdiction. Handoll, said:
Presentations and case studies provided In my practice and research into free at the User Group meetings are available movement issues, the Border People on the Border People website. website has become an essential tool.
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 121 More importantly, its clear and user- in the two jurisdictions; the inaccurate friendly design allows citizens on both reporting of North-South cooperation in sides of the border to access up-to-date the media; the possible re-opening of information on key topics. It has evolved the Ulster Canal; the importance of EU over time in reponse to citizens' needs funding to cross-border cooperation in and has become a first port of call for Ireland; the need for Northern Ireland those seeking to understand their rights. to attract back its highly educated and skilled emigrants; how Ireland, North The Border People website and its and South, could play a distinctive role user groups are a clear example of in combating world hunger; hopes cross-border cooperation at its most after the March 2007 Northern Ireland pragmatic and sensible: a means of election; the cross-border role of making government departments, teacher education; Rev Ian Paisley as a information and advice providers and the champion of North-South cooperation; general public in both jurisdictions more the contribution of Norwegian human knowledgeable about and thus effective rights lawyer, Torkel Opsahl, to the in dealing with practical obstacles to peace process; the need for civil society cross-border mobility. groups in both Irish jurisdictions to talk to one another; a possible high-speed A NOTE FROM THE NEXT DOOR rail bridge between Northern Ireland NEIGHBOURS and Scotland; the row over families in Donegal sending their children to Derry schools; why higher education students don’t cross the border to study any more; more about barriers to cross-border higher education; the resurrection of Clones; whether the Irish border region could become the best border region in Europe; how the Centre for Cross Border Studies is becoming involved in work in Africa; an upbeat message from the chairman Since September 2006 the Centre has of the Centre; reconciliation initiatives been sending an opinionated monthly in Monaghan and Armagh; anti-racism e-column, A Note from the Next Door and anti-sectarianism work in primary Neighbours, to a growing audience of schools in County Antrim and the subscribers: nearly 7,000 at the last Southern border region; cross-border count. These Notes have provoked cooperators saying ‘Yes’ to the Lisbon enthusiastic feedback and debate. Treaty; cross-community gaelic games; the value of having both a united Ireland The 53 ‘Notes’ so far have covered the and a United Kingdom at the same time; following issues: whether North-South statistics which show the commonalities cooperation actually works to bring between North and South; North-South about reconciliation between people cooperation during the recession; why
122 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 the concept of an ‘island of Ireland’ They also appear on the celebrated economy is still a valid one; the website of British-Irish and Northern ‘patriotism’ of cross-border shopping; Irish issues Slugger O’Toole (http:// the work of a Monaghan priest in cross- sluggerotoole.com) The columns can border reconciliation; cross-border also be accessed at www.crossborder. phone, insurance and banking services; ie/home/ndn/index.php the Belfast-Dublin Enterprise train (two ‘Notes’); the cross-border activities of an East Belfast Protestant community CURRENT RESEARCH, worker; an appeal for an idealistic INFORMATION AND TRAINING person to become the Centre’s deputy PROJECTS director; the Centre’s work in knitting the island’s relationships back together; THE INICCO PROJECTS the Orange marching season; the need for less emphasis on Irish unity and more on cross-border cooperation; the Between 2009 and the end of 2011 Fermanagh man with the cross-border the Centre is undertaking five major knowledge in his head; the role of civil research projects funded by the EU servants and EU officials in cross-border cross-border programme INTERREG peacebuilding; some unsung heroes IVA and managed by the Special EU of cross-border cooperation in 2009; Programmes Body. These have been the Armagh Rhymers group; Irish unity packaged under the collective title: versus North-South cooperation; young the Ireland/Northern Ireland Cross- people and politics; cross-border postal border Cooperation Observatory and train services; the welfare state, (INICCO). The five constituent North and South; the role of the North projects are as follows: South Ministerial Council; North-South cooperation in energy; an unpublished 1. BORDER PEOPLE CROSS- cross-border health report; Dundalk as BORDER MOBILITY an exemplary green town; the impact INFORMATION WEBSITE of the Irish and UK financial crises on (PHASE TWO) North-South cooperation (two ‘Notes’); ICT in Northern schools; and the poor This is the second phase of the Border state of the Southern health service. People (www.borderpeople.info) information website, being developed These columns have been reported in a continuing partnership with the in the Irish Times, Irish News, Derry North South Ministerial Council. This Journal, Northern Standard (Monaghan), project is led by the Centre for Cross Scotsman, Glasgow Herald, Sunday Border Studies’ IT manager, Joe Shiels, Post (Scotland) and on RTE, BBC assisted by information officer, Annmarie Scotland, Border Television and local O’Kane. (For more information see the radio stations in Ireland, Northern longer item on Border People on pages Ireland, Scotland and northern England. 119-122).
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 123 Phase Two allows for a much more CroSPlaN’s three year (2009-2011) systematic dissemination and marketing programme consists of the following: of information and public feedback on cross-border mobility issues, assisted • Two applied research projects by an active and enlarged User Group per year. The first two completed drawn from a wide range of citizens research projects in 2009-10 – both advice, employment advice, local now on the ICLRD website (www. authority, business and community iclrd.org) – were on the implications organisations. Performance is being of the NI Review of Public reviewed against agreed targets for Administration’s proposals for local information content, along with regular government on inter-jurisdictional statistical website reports to evaluate planning; and on tri-national planning demand and usage. An annual survey in the Basel Metropolitan Region tests whether the interests of users are in Switzerland, which incorporates being matched and how well the various neighbouring parts of France and website features are working. Germany. • One executive training The Steering Group for this project is programme per year for cross- drawn from the North South Ministerial border region local councillors, Council Joint Secretariat, the Centre for council officials and business Cross Border Studies, the Department leaders. The first course, in Dundalk of Finance and Personnel (NI), the and Newry, ran from November Department of Social and Family Affairs 2009 to May 2010, and the second, (RoI), Citizens Advice Northern Ireland, in Derry and Letterkenny, is running Citizens Information Board (RoI), and the from October 2010 to March 2011. EURES Cross-border Partnership. The third course, in the central border area, will take place in the 2. THE CROSS-BORDER SPATIAL autumn of 2011. PLANNING AND TRAINING • One technical workshop per year NETWORK (CroSPlaN) • One annual conference
This network, organised by the Centre’s The two 2010-2011 research sister organisation, the International projects are: Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD), brings together • Cross-border river basin an alliance of planners, economic management. Three of the eight development officers, local authority River Basin Districts on the island officials, councillors, and community of Ireland are cross-border. This and business interests on both sides of research project will consist of two the border to promote more systematic separate but inter-linked studies: learning and exchange in planning. (For a. International best practice in more information on CroSPlaN and managing river basins that ICLRD see pages (146-155.) involve overlapping jurisdictions;
124 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Participants at the CroSPlaN/ICLRD annual conference in Sligo, January 2011
b. Mapping the policies academics, cross-border cooperation necessary for the island of specialists and cross-border local Ireland to achieve integrated authority network representatives from decision-making in cross-border the Planning Service (NI), the Border river basin management, with a Region Authority (RoI), Leitrim County particular focus on water quality Council, the National Institute of and the role of spatial planning. Regional and Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) • Local authority shared services. at NUI Maynooth, University of Ulster, Again this research will consist of the Irish Central Border Area Network separate but inter-linked studies: (ICBAN), the Centre for Cross Border a. Comparative best practice in Studies and the ICLRD. local authority shared services in Europe and North America; 3. EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL b. Shared services in Ireland, with a FOR CROSS-BORDER HOSPITAL particular focus on the cross- SERVICES IN THE BORDER border region, and on specialist REGION services like ecological, flood risk, strategic environmental and The overall aim of this project is to habitats assessment. ‘identify how cross-border hospital services can provide mutual benefits for The Steering Group for this project the people of the border region’. It is in brings together planners, planning two strands.
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 125 The report of the first strand, carried hospital planning on a cross-border out by CCBS Deputy Director Ruth (particularly in the border region) Taillon, was published on 14 October and all-island basis, is being carried 2010 under the title Exploring the out by the consultancy firm Horwath Potential for Cross-Border Hospital Bastow Charleton (with a team led by Services in the Irish Border Region: Shane McQuillan), and will be completed The role of community involvement by summer 2011. An ‘emerging findings’ in planning hospital services. It conference will be held in May 2011. was launched by the chairman of the Northern Ireland Patient Client Council, The final report of this study will: Sean Brown, at the project’s emerging findings seminar in Ravensdale, Co • Explore what six or seven selected Louth, on that date. The keynote specialist services would look like speaker at the seminar was Dr Michael in the future if they were delivered Wilks, immediate past president of in the border region on the basis the Comité Permanent des Medecins of population needs rather than Européens, and a noted authority on jurisdictional frontiers. Among the cross-border health care in Europe. services being examined are general surgery; orthopaedic surgery; ENT; The final report featured feedback from urology; some paediatric surgery; 11 focus groups in the border region acute mental health; and treatment and a range of patients and medical of cystic fibrosis. There will be a professionals. Case studies of service particular focus on building on the users and campaigning community substantial work of Cooperation and groups in three areas were undertaken: Working Together (CAWT) in some cancer care in the North-West; cystic of these areas. fibrosis in the two jurisdictions; and • Develop in a prototype form a the campaign for a hospital in Omagh. modelling tool for hospital planning Among the recommendations were that on a border region and all-island Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) basis, based on the analysis of these concepts in hospital planning should exemplar services, and taking into be properly implemented; service account factors like the geographical users from both jurisdictions should be distribution of patients, supply and involved in the planning of new services demand issues, and transport to at Altnagelvin (Derry/Londonderry) and and accessibility of hospital and Enniskillen hospitals; and service users other services. should have full information about their • Recommendations on the future entitlement to services in the other configuration of hospitals, North jurisdiction. Both the full report and an and South, that would be required executive summary are available on the if the planning of acute services in Centre’s website (www.crossborder.ie). the border region was on the basis of population needs only – both on The second strand, a study to develop a short to medium term incremental a prototype modelling tool for scale (the CAWT model) and on a
126 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 longer term scale with a more radical vision for change.
The Steering Group for this project brings health and cross-border cooperation specialists together from the Institute of Public Health in Ireland, the Health Research Board (RoI), the Health Service Executive (RoI)(observer), Cooperation and Working Together (CAWT), the Irish Patients Association, the Patient Client Council (NI), the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs (observer), the Centre for Cross Border Studies and the University of Warwick. At the fourth Border People User Group seminar in Dundalk, September 2010. From 4. REVIVING THE BORDER REGION left to right: Lisa Fegan (John McMahon and Co), Councillor Pat Treanor, Monaghan ECONOMY IN A NEW ERA County Council and Councillor Alex Baird, OF PEACE AND DEVOLVED Fermanagh District Council (see page 120). GOVERNMENT research is ‘twinned’ for comparative The aim of this package of four closely purposes with the Lower Silesia region inter-related research projects is to find of Poland and its common border with ways of understanding and increasing the German länder of Saxony and the accessibility, size, transparency, Brandenburg). This project was formally competitiveness and profitability of launched in April 2010. An ‘emerging Irish border region markets in a context findings’ conference will be held in where peace and normality have finally autumn 2011. arrived in Northern Ireland and the Southern Border Region, but have been The four constituent elements of this followed by a deep economic recession. research project are: This overall project – in which the Centre is partnered by InterTradeIreland – is a. The ‘generic’ challenges the being carried out by a high-level team region faces due to its peripheral led by Dr John Bradley, formerly a location. This ‘framing’ study, which research professor at the Economic was presented at the first Steering and Social Research Institute in Group meeting in April 2010, Dublin; Professor Michael Best of the provides a stand-alone interpretive Universities of Massachusetts and framework for understanding Cambridge, an international authority on how a border region becomes regional business strategies; and two peripheral, and how peripherality economists from the Wroclaw Regional creates challenges to development. Development Agency in Poland (the It also provides inputs in terms
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 127 of data sources (or lack of them) tourism in terms of peripherality, and specific applications to help consumer markets, micro-enterprise understand the other three elements behaviour and tourism-related of the study. infrastructure, thus bringing together, b. How border region consumer in the form of an integrated case markets might be made more study, the insights which have efficient drivers of regional emerged from the first three topics. growth. This second study, which is currently being undertaken, is The Steering Group for this project focusing on the border region brings together economists, industrial viewed as an area where consumer promotion practitioners and cross- behaviour has been, and continues border cooperation specialists from to be, both isolated and distorted, InterTradeIreland, the Department of and which must now seek ways of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (NI), becoming a genuine single market. Invest Northern Ireland, Forfás (RoI), the Cross-border shopping is the most Economic and Social Research Institute dramatic aspect of this consumer (RoI), the Centre for Cross Border behaviour, but the study is more Studies and University of Ulster. interested in the disruption that the border causes to the evolution of 5. PILOT IMPACT ASSESSMENT local consumer market linkages on TOOLKIT FOR CROSS-BORDER both sides of the border. COOPERATION IN IRELAND c. How the region’s small and micro-enterprises, which are the As part of the integrative work of a mainstay of so much economic cross-border observatory, the Centre activity in the region, might be is undertaking the development of enabled to develop. The third a pilot Impact Assessment Toolkit study, which is being undertaken in (PIAT) for practical, mutually beneficial tandem with the second topic, cross-border cooperation in Ireland. examines how small, medium The pilot toolkit is intended to guide and micro-enterprises, which policy-makers and EU funders – and are predominant in this border particularly the Special EU Programmes region, can draw inspiration and Body in Ireland – in thinking through support from the region’s special the impact assessment process, characteristics of a good labour assisting them in exploring the future force, a pristine environment and consequences of cross-border lack of congestion. This study programmes and projects. Impact involves factory visits and detailed assessment has been used particularly interviews with owners and in the health and environmental sectors managers. in Ireland, North and South, and widely d. How the region’s tourism in the European Union, but not until now product might dovetail with in cross-border cooperation. strategic plans for tourism in Ireland. This final study will explore
128 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Attending the inaugural meeting of the Pilot Impact Assessment Toolkit Steering Group, September 2010. From left to right: Andy Pollak, Dr Joachim Beck, Ruth Taillon, SEUPB Chief Executive Pat Colgan, and SEUPB Director, Managing Authority, Shaun Henry
The proposed toolkit is breaking training programmes. An initial analysis new ground in that it will offer an of the ‘core problems’ of cross-border integrated process that takes into cooperation in Ireland was carried out account social, economic and at a workshop in Newry in November environmental impacts (the three ‘pillars’ 2010, and a second workshop will take of sustainable development), plus a place in May 2011 to test a draft toolkit. fourth ‘administrative’ pillar that will One cross-border project will then be identify impacts specific to cross-border selected in order to carry out a detailed cooperation in Ireland. It will have impact assessment to test the toolkit’s two unique characteristics: it will be implementation. This will be followed by developed with the specific conditions of a three-day training course for cross- the Irish ‘cross border territory’ in mind, border practitioners in autumn 2011, and it will focus on identifying the ‘added and the toolkit will be published and value’ of cross-border cooperation in launched in December 2011. Irish circumstances. This project is being carried out by a The project’s methodology involves the team consisting of Centre for Cross active participation of public officials Border Studies Deputy Director Ruth and NGOs who are currently working in Taillon; the Director of the Euro-Institute cross-border cooperation in Ireland, who in Kehl, Germany, Dr Joachim Beck, an take part in a series of workshops and advisor to the European Commission on
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 129 cross-border cooperation and impact College in Limerick have not taken part assessment; and, as research assistant, in the 2010 and 2011 exchanges). 157 Sebastian Rihm, a postgraduate student teachers have taken part in this student of the Universities of Kehl and exchange project since it was initiated Ludwigsburg working as an intern. in 2003 (making it the longest-running of all the North-South exchanges that The project Steering Group is drawn CCBS have organised). The first four from the Special EU Programmes Body, exchanges were funded by the EU the Northern Ireland Statistics and Peace Programme, while the 2009, Research Agency (NISRA), Cooperation 2010 and 2011 exchanges were funded Ireland, INCORE International Conflict by the Standing Conference on Teacher Research Institute (University of Ulster), Education North and South (SCoTENS) Pobal, Institute of Public Health in (see also pages 142-146). Ireland, Northern Ireland Commission for Victims and Survivors, International In October 2008 a study by Dr Maeve Centre for Local and Regional Martin of NUI Maynooth on the impact Development (ICLRD) and the Centre for of the exchange on the personal Cross Border Studies. attitudes and professional practice of the student teachers who had taken The INICCO projects are being part in it between 2003 and 2007 was evaluated by Indecon Economic completed. Dr Martin concluded: Consultants of Dublin. This project has been a great success in terms of the enduring positive CURRENT EXCHANGE PROJECTS dispositions it has helped to develop among the beneficiaries, the young North-South Student Teacher teachers. These have included: greater Exchange Project (Year Seven) interest in peace and reconciliation issues; greater consciousness of the In March 2011 the North-South Student demands of multicultural classrooms; Teacher Exchange project will enter its greater knowledge of the other seventh year with the latest exchange jurisdiction’s education system and of 15 students to do a key part of curriculum; the invaluable experience their assessed teaching practice in gained from learning from skilled schools in the other Irish jurisdiction. teachers in the other jurisdiction; and The partners with the Centre in this a greatly increased sense of personal project are six of the seven colleges worth and confidence gained through of primary education on the island: participation in the exchange. Stranmillis University College and St Mary’s University College in Belfast; St She called the project ‘a courageous, Patrick’s College Drumcondra, Marino inclusive and groundbreaking exchange’ Institute of Education, Froebel College of and ‘an experience that has been Education and Church of Ireland College transformational’ for the student of Education in Dublin (Mary Immaculate teachers involved.
130 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Directors of Teaching Practice and student teachers at the North-South Student Teacher Exchange Project orientation day at the Church of Ireland College of Education, Rathmines, Dublin, January 2011.
CURRENT ADMINISTRATION UNIVERSITIES IRELAND PROJECTS
The Centre has filled an important niche by providing administrative support to North-South and cross-border initiatives, particularly in the field of The work of Universities Ireland education. Many cross-border projects (UI) continued in 2010-2011 with are sustained largely through EU funding the Centre acting as its secretariat. and the commitment of enthusiastic UI operates mainly through three individuals, and when the money and key projects: the Universities enthusiasm runs out their absence Ireland/IBEC-CBI Joint Business of a proper administrative structure Council North/South Postgraduate often dooms them to early closure. Scholarship scheme; the Irish- The Centre offers this cross-border African Partnership for Research administrative structure, and a detailed Capacity Building (IAP for short); knowledge of support mechanisms in and the Irish Section of Scholars at both Irish jurisdictions, which can ensure Risk. New activities in the past year such projects’ longer-term sustainability. included the first in a new series of North-South student debates and co-sponsorship of a conference on young people and politics in Ireland, North and South.
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 131 Funding continued to be provided by outstanding an annual subscription from the nine students from participating universities; and annual the Republic grants from the Irish Department of Ireland of Education and Skills and the NI and Northern Department for Employment and Ireland to cross Learning. the border to undertake Universities Ireland has postgraduate been able to overcome study and the disadvantage of experience life being a very small in the other networked organisation Irish jurisdiction. In 2010-2011 five with no full-time staff scholarships were awarded, four to and a very small students doing business and science annual income of subjects (co-sponsored by Universities around £150,000 by Ireland along with the Electricity Supply leveraging sizeable Board and Dublin Port) and one doing amounts of extra a humanities subject (sponsored by money to support UI alone). The scholarships are worth its activities. In €15,000 each. 2007-2011 the Irish-African Partnership for Research Because over the past four years this Capacity Building (IAP) raised €1.5 scheme has been 50% sponsored million from Irish Aid with €110,000 by business firms, the emphasis is on in matching funds from UI. In 2006- subjects of interest to business, and 2010 the Universities Ireland/IBEC-CBI the scheme aims in particular to build Joint Business Council North/South all-island innovation in STEM subjects scholarships raised £366,000 from (science, technology, engineering and individual business firms in Dublin mathematics) – along with business and Belfast with the same amount of administration – which will be important matching funding from UI. in moving the island towards the The chairman of Universities Ireland knowledge economy that is vital to its in 2010-2011 is the Provost of Trinity future prosperity. It is thus a scheme College Dublin, Professor John Hegarty. which has been conceived both to The members of its governing council support the continuing peace process are the nine university presidents and in Northern Ireland and to train highly vice-chancellors plus representatives of skilled postgraduates to contribute to a its external funders. new phase of economic development for the island as a whole. NORTH/SOUTH POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS These North/South scholarships are open to all students currently registered The aim of this scheme is to encourage at an Irish or a Northern Irish university
132 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 ESB Chief Executive Padraig McManus with the three students awarded ESB-sponsored North/ South postgraduate scholarships: (from left to right) Paul Davidson, Emma Ryan and Patrick Molloy or Dublin Institute of Technology (or College Dublin doing a Masters in who have graduated within the past five International Business at Queen’s years) proposing to take up a place University Belfast (sponsored by on a postgraduate course which would Dublin Port) require them to locate to the other Irish • Emma Ryan, a graduate of TCD jurisdiction. They are also open to Irish doing an MSc in Sustainability and or Northern Irish-born students currently Corporate Social Responsibility at registered at (or who have graduated QUB (sponsored by ESB) within the past five years from) a British • Patrick Molloy, a graduate of university (i.e. a university in England, University College Dublin doing an Scotland or Wales) who wish to relocate MSc in Business Economics at QUB to the Irish jurisdiction they were not (sponsored by ESB) born in to undertake a postgraduate • Paul Davidson, a graduate of course. University of Ulster doing a Masters in International Management at The 2010 winners received their awards Trinity College Dublin (sponsored at a ceremony in Belfast on 7 December by ESB) from the Permanent Secretary of the NI • Laura McCabe, a graduate of NUI Department of Enterprise, Trade and Galway, doing a cross-border Investment, David Sterling (standing in Masters in Human Rights Law at for the Minister, Arlene Foster MLA). The QUB and NUIG (sponsored by winners were: Universities Ireland) • Cliona Harkin, a graduate of Trinity
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 133 Delegates at the Irish African Partnership for Research Capacity Building (IAP) workshop and conference in Queen's University Belfast, 30 September 2010
This brings to 26 the number of students in Sub-Saharan Africa in a unique, who have been awarded these high-level partnership to develop a scholarships over the past six years. coordinated approach to Research Capacity Building (RCB) in higher THE IRISH-AFRICAN PARTNERSHIP education institutions. The overall aim FOR RESEARCH CAPACITY of the Irish-African Partnership (IAP for BUILDING (IAP) short) is to advance effective strategies for sustainable research capacity building for poverty reduction in the 13 partner universities in the areas of health and education, with gender and ICT as cross-cutting themes.
The IAP partner universities are Trinity This three and a half year project (2007- College Dublin, Queen’s University 2011), funded by Irish Aid under the Belfast, Dublin City University, University auspices of Universities Ireland, brings of Limerick/Mary Immaculate College, together all nine universities on the University College Dublin, University island of Ireland and four universities of Ulster, National University of
134 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Delegates and speakers at the QUB Workshop. From left to right: (front row) Dr Consolata Kabonesa (Makerere University), former Irish President Dr Mary Robinson, Professor George Nasinyama, (Makerere University): (back row) Professor Ronnie Munck (IAP co-chair, Dublin City University) and Professor Frank Kee (QUB)
Ireland Galway, National University of IAP was financed by a €1.5 million Ireland Maynooth, University College grant from the Programme for Cork, Makerere University (Uganda), Strategic Cooperation (PSC) between University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Irish Aid and Higher Education and Universidade Eduardo Mondlane Research Institutes (2007-2011), with (Mozambique) and University of Malawi. €110,000 in matching funding from Finance, workshop organisation and Universities Ireland. The first phase of liaison with the funders (Irish Aid/Higher the Irish-African Partnership is due to be Education Authority) are undertaken completed by 31 March 2011. on behalf of the partnership by Universities Ireland through the Centre The six objectives of the IAP are detailed for Cross Border Studies (which is also below with progress towards their represented on the IAP’s Executive attainment: Committee along with the 13 partner universities). Andy Pollak acts as Objective 1: To assess existing IAP’s reporting officer to the funders; capacity in development research Mairead Hughes manages the finances within the 13 partner universities and Patricia McAllister organised the partnership’s five workshops and In May 2010 the report synthesising conferences in Ireland and Africa. findings from an unprecedented stakeholder consultation in all the 13
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 135 partner universities in Ireland and Africa Objective 2: To identify opportunities (involving over 300 academic and and constraints to development administrative staff) was finalised. Its research capacity within the 13 findings were presented at IAP’s final partner institutions conference and workshop at Queen’s University Belfast on 29 September-1 This objective was attained through October 2010. The report documents the Stakeholder Consultation exercise the key opportunities and constraints to outlined above. Its final report noted building research capacity in the partner the following key issues in the context institutions. They include: of research capacity building for international development: • The need for a clear and coherent research policy framework; • North-South and South-South • A nurturing and enabling institutional partnerships are environment for research at vital to capacity-building and institutional level, including a career knowledge-sharing, especially in structure for research personnel, terms of the opportunities they and a mentorship culture involving offer for collaborative PhD research guidance and peer support supervision, and sandwich-type arrangements; programmes. • Overcoming obstacles to publishing, • One recognised advantage especially for the African partners; of partnership is the ability to • Funding support; facilitate multi-disciplinary research • Research infrastructure; engagement, especially between the • Influences exerted by national sciences and the humanities. research assessment exercises • Development-related research is of where these exist. value to the Irish universities and is part of a duty of civic engagement. The final report providing a more • Research in the service of in-depth analysis of the findings development is a function is available at http://www. that requires a specific locus irishafricanpartnership.ie/ of responsibility within the stakeholder-consultation. organisational structure of A final metrics survey involving over universities (including at faculty/ 100 academics and research staff has school level). also been completed, eliciting relevant • The ‘language of development’ information on research capacity in the should be encouraged to become 13 participating universities. The final more current in academic discourse, metrics report, accessible at http:// and collaboration between research www.irishafricanpartnership.ie/ academics and development content/metrics, was also presented practitioners should be promoted. at the final IAP conference and • In addition to long-term human workshop in Belfast in September 2010. capital development, short-term training and induction of researchers
136 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Delegates at the QUB workshop. From left to right: Dr Eimear Barrett (QUB), Dr Goretti Nakabugo (Mary Immaculate College, Limerick and Makerere University, Uganda) and Dr Generossa Cosa José (Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique)
needs to be more systematic, school was to enhance human capacity particularly at the foundation stage. in research management in research • Training and induction of research offices and among research team supervisors is essential. leaders based in the African partner • Clear and imaginative institutional institutions. policies are necessary to address gender related barriers to The summer school, which was undertaking research and to attain attended by more than 70 participants gender equity in universities. (including academic staff, librarians, human resources personnel, ICT Objective 3: To enhance partner and finance staff), consisted of a institution research capacity through combination of plenary sessions and developing and delivering a Summer workshop sessions. The workshops School training programme focused on six topics, each facilitated by expert teams drawn from Irish and The Malawi ‘training for trainers’ African partner institutions: Summer School held at Chancellor College, Zomba, on 22-25 March 2010 i Research management was demand-led (particularly from ii Research bid writing the African partners), and was a great iii Research finance success. The objective of the summer iv Human resource management
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 137 v The role of Information and which commenced at the first IAP Communications Technologies workshop in Dublin City University in vi Graduate schools, graduate April 2008, culminating at the third supervision and structured PhD workshop in Maputo, Mozambique programmes. in May 2009, at which key themes in health and education were agreed. In To effectively disseminate the ideas health, the key priorities were maternal that underpinned the summer school, and child health, infectious diseases a resource book and CD based on the including HIV/AIDS, and food security/ six modules was developed between malnutrition. Cross cutting themes April and August 2010. This was identified were gender and climate finalised and launched at Stormont on change. In education, key priorities were 29 September 2010 during the final teacher education and education for conference and workshop in Belfast by sustainable development, with gender Jim Wells MLA, Chair of the All Party and ICT as cross-cutting themes. Group on International Development in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Based Research clusters in education and on lessons from the Malawi Summer health were then formed around these School, these resources aim to provide themes. Between May and December baseline principles and practical 2009 the research clusters were guidance to assist partner universities activated via an online discussion in their efforts to overcome the main forum on the IAP web portal. As a barriers to building research capacity. result, one of the education clusters The resource book can be accessed at successfully mounted a research bid http://www.irishafricanpartnership. with the DELPhE/British Council. This ie/sites/irishafricanpartnership.ie/ is a three-year IAP spin-off project files/Final%20RCB%20Training%20 (starting in October 2010) on developing Manual_3.pdf. It is also available as a more effective school/higher education ‘hard copy’ handbook from the Centre institution (HEI) partnerships in initial for Cross Border Studies. teacher education, involving Eduardo Mondlane University, Makerere Objective 4: To identify key themes University, University of Malawi and in health and education research University of Ulster. over the next 10 years A health cluster which brought together This objective was achieved through all four IAP African partner universities a ‘foresight’ process which was with Dublin City University, Queen’s specifically designed for this purpose. University Belfast and 15 other European The final foresight report – Looking to partners narrowly failed to be successful the Future: The Irish-African Partnership in an application to an EU Framework Foresight Report – is now available at Seven Africa Call for Proposals with a http://www.irishafricanpartnership. project based around training African ie/content/foresight. The report health researchers and strengthening documents the entire foresight process African health research units; reinforcing
138 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 European-African research networks; global North-South
THE IRISH-AFRICAN PARTNERSHIP and increasing awareness of the partnerships), Irish FOR RESEARCH CAPACITY BUILDING importance of research to drive policy in Aid Deputy Director building effective health systems General Michael in Africa. Gaffey, International BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND
Opened by Network for Higher Sir Reg Empey, Northern Ireland Minister for Employment and Learning
Keynote Speakers
Dr Mary Robinson, President, Realizing Rights: the Ethical Globalization Initiative Objective 5: To build an Irish-based Education in Africa Mr Tom Arnold, Chief Executive, Concern Worldwide Professor Brian O’Connell, Vice Chancellor, development research network founder Dr Damtew University of the Western Capee
The Fifth Workshop and Conference - Queens University Belfast through agreed principles of Teferra, former September 29 - October 1 2010 partnership with African partners Tánaiste Dick Spring, former head of the Commission Strong inter-university relationships for Africa Prof. Myles Wickstead, TCD have been built through the six project Provost Prof. John Hegarty and others. workshops in Dublin (two), Entebbe There were three days of intensive (Uganda), Maputo (Mozambique), networking and discussion of proposals Zomba (Malawi) and Belfast. During the for a post-2011 second phase for past year, two workshops have taken the IAP. place: the international Summer School in Zomba, Malawi, on 22-25 March The Irish Aid Third Level Project 2010 and the final IAP workshop and Promoters Group, convened in January conference at Queen’s University Belfast 2008 under the auspices of Universities on 29 September-1 October 2010. Ireland, and chaired by UI Secretary Andy Pollak, is an additional effort The Queen’s to widen and deepen the Irish end workshop and of a future Irish-African development conference research network. This group, which was the IAP’s brought together all eight project leaders most successful funded under Irish Aid’s 2007-2011 third networking event level programme, helped Irish Aid to to date. Over 110 organise several showcase events, and senior academics to re-activated the Development Studies and researchers Association of Ireland (launched in from Northern September 2010), which is a network of Ireland, Ireland, Malawi, Mozambique, academics and practitioners who aim to Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, South foster new knowledge and approaches Africa, England, Canada and Belgium to the study of development issues. It is came together to hear presentations affiliated with the Development Studies from the founding President of the Association in the UK. Ethical Globalization Initiative Dr Mary Robinson (on climate justice), Concern Objective 6: To provide a platform to Worldwide Chief Executive Tom enable and support the development Arnold (on hunger and food security), of specific partnerships arising from University of the Western Cape Vice- network interactions Chancellor Prof. Brian O’Connell (on
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 139 There has been significant progress Joseph Tesha of University of Dar es towards providing an online Salaam). There is also an International development research platform Advisory Board to provide support from through the IAP web portal (www. international experts in development irishafricanpartnership.ie) developed research, which is chaired by the former by a team at Trinity College Dublin Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, during this period. There are three main Dick Spring. The IAP employs a project elements to this portal: manager (Peter McEvoy) and part-time 1. The website www. administrator (Caitriona Fitzgerald), both irishafricanpartnership.ie based at Dublin City University; two 2. The research register postdoctoral fellows in education and 3. The digital repository health (Dr Mary Goretti Nakabugo based at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, All these elements were completed and Dr Eimear Barrett, based at Queen’s in time for the Queen’s University University Belfast); and a part-time conference and workshop in September workshop organiser (Patricia McAllister, 2010. The functionality provided by the based at the Centre for Cross Border IAP web portal in terms of its integrated Studies in Armagh). research register and digital repository is unique and the first of its kind globally, Universities Ireland has agreed to allow bringing together information from both a small underspend in its contribution developed and developing countries. to the IAP to be ‘rolled over’ so that There is still a need for comprehensive project manager Peter McEvoy can be user testing for which volunteers from employed on a part-time basis between the participating IAP universities are March and August 2011 to make further required. The issue now is to continue to funding applications and keep the keep the website up to date and to add project ‘ticking over’ so as not to lose more content to both the register and momentum during this funding gap. It is the repository. International experience expected that Irish Aid will issue a new is that the provision of content for web call for funding applications later portals such as this on a continuing in 2011. basis represents a major challenge. SCHOLARS AT RISK: IRISH Organisation and future plans SECTION
The Irish-African Partnership is overseen Universities Ireland has been the by an executive committee representing Irish Section of the international all 14 participating institutions with inter-university network, Scholars four chairs, two from Ireland (Professor at Risk (SAR), which is based in Ronnie Munck of Dublin City University New York University, since 2008. In and Professor Sean Farren of University many countries around the world, of Ulster) and two from Africa (Professor scholars and academics are attacked Eli Katunguka-Rwakishaya of Makerere because of their words, their ideas University, Uganda and Professor and their place in society. Those
140 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 seeking power and control work to limit THE AGREEMENT GENERATION access to information and new ideas CONFERENCE by persecuting scholars, restricting academic freedom and repressing Universities Ireland was co-sponsor research, publication, teaching and (with the John Hume Institute for learning. Scholars at Risk (SAR) is an Global Irish Studies) of a conference international network of universities organised in University College Dublin and colleges responding to these on 17 November 2010 entitled ‘The attacks. SAR provides sanctuary in Agreement Generation: An Opportunity universities, particularly in Europe and for Change?’ Its theme was the North America, to professors, lecturers, opportunity for changing Northern researchers and other intellectuals who Ireland and all-island politics, and the suffer threats in their home countries. role in this change of the younger generation who have come of age At its September 2009 Council meeting, during the peace process period of the UI decided to allocate €20,000 in 1990s and the first years of the new 2009-10 to support two scholarships century. Most of the speakers came for persecuted scholars in Irish and from this younger generation of political Northern Irish universities. University of activists, business people, academics, Limerick quickly applied and received new media practitioners, artists and funding to host a psychology professor community workers. from Iraq. The second 2009 scholarship went jointly to Trinity College Dublin and Among the speakers were University College Dublin to co-host a representatives of the youth wings of the political scientist from Iran. DUP, Ulster Unionist Party, SDLP, Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Irish Labour On 22 September 2009 the official Party; a Sinn Fein Belfast City Councillor; launch of SAR Ireland Section took a North Belfast community worker; place at Trinity College Dublin, followed an artist and a digital project leader by a keynote address by Dr Shirin from Derry; a coordinator of the Spirit Ebadi, the Iranian human rights lawyer, of Enniskillen Trust; young business university lecturer and author who leaders from Dublin and County Derry; became the first Muslim woman to win and young academics from Queen’s the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003. University Belfast and UCD.
In 2010 two more SAR scholars were NORTH-SOUTH STUDENT DEBATES hosted at Irish universities with financial support from Universities Ireland. The first of a series of Universities University College Cork hosted a public Ireland-sponsored North-South student health specialist from Burma, while a debates on aspects of the future of the human rights lawyer from Iran was jointly island of Ireland took place in ‘The Hist’ hosted by NUI Galway and Queen’s debating society in Trinity College Dublin University Belfast. on 13 October 2010. The topic of this first debate was ‘What should Ireland
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 141 look like in 20 years time?’ The speakers this highly successful US university in a were: difficult financial climate.
• Eamon Ryan TD, Irish Minister It continued on 17 September with for Communications, Energy and Professor Malcolm Skilbeck, former Natural Resources; OECD Deputy Director for Education • Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, NI and Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University Minister for Agriculture and Rural in Australia (and author of a seminal Development; 2001 report on higher education • Basil McCrea, Unionist MLA for in Ireland), who spoke on the role Lagan Valley; and responsibilities of universities in • Dr Stephen Kinsella, Lecturer in contributing to the ‘common good’. Economics at University of Limerick; • Four Trinity College Dublin student Website: www.universitiesireland.ie speakers: Ursula Quill, Fintan Mallory, Emer Duffy and Barra Roantree. STANDING CONFERENCE ON TEACHER EDUCATION, NORTH Officers of the debating societies AND SOUTH (SCoTENS) from University College Cork, Queen’s University Belfast, Dublin City University, National University of Ireland Maynooth, National University of Ireland Galway and University of Limerick were also present. Universities Ireland has offered to sponsor other student debates in universities, North and South, on subjects relevant to the future of the island of Ireland on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. The Centre also acts as the secretariat for the Standing DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES Conference on Teacher Education, North and South (SCoTENS). This At the suggestion of UCD President Dr was set up in 2003 by a group of Hugh Brady it was decided this year to senior teacher education specialists invite distinguished international higher from universities, colleges of education specialists to address the six- education and other education monthly Council meetings of Universities agencies in both jurisdictions. Ireland and to invite other senior Irish The 2010-2011 joint chairs of academics to hear them.This seminar SCoTENS are Professor Teresa series began on 12 February 2010 with O’Doherty, Dean of Education at an address by Professor John Casteen, Mary Immaculate College, University President of the University of Virginia, of Limerick, and Dr Tom Hesketh, who spoke on his experience of leading Director of the Regional Training Unit in Belfast.
142 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Keynote speakers at the SCoTENS annual conference, in October 2010. From left to right: Sir Tim Brighouse, Dr Tom Hesketh, Paul Sweeney, Seán Haughey TD, Professor Teresa O'Doherty
SCoTENS’ eighth annual conference, on In his opening comments, Mr Haughey ‘Teacher Education for Inclusion’, was praised SCoTENS as ‘a North/South held in October 2010 in Belfast. It was platform that has gone from strength to opened by the Permanent Secretary at strength through building professional the NI Department of Education, Paul partnerships and personal networks Sweeney, and the Irish Minister of State through its wide-ranging activities and for Lifelong Learning, research initiatives.’ Mr Sweeney said Sean Haughey TD. SCoTENS had been ‘acknowledged The keynote speakers by commentators as one of the best were Professor Sir examples of North-South co-operation’ Tim Brighouse, former and he had been pleased to hear a Chief Education Officer presentation from co-chairs Professor for Birmingham and O’Doherty and Dr Hesketh at the most Schools Commissioner recent North South Ministerial Council for London, who is meeting. widely recognised as one of Britain’s The conference featured ‘teacher most eminent education for inclusion’ workshops on educationalists; race, special education, access and Renato Opertti travellers, disability, and the profesional from the UNESCO development of teachers in the inclusion International Bureau of Education, field. There were also presentations from and Dr Amanda Watkins from the school principals and teachers in special European Agency for Development in schools in Derry and Limerick. Special Needs.
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 143 Two reports were launched at the a particular emphasis on Teaching conference: Reflective Practice – Councils) in 2004; and ‘Challenges to Challenges for Teacher Education, Teacher Education and Research, North North and South (SCoTENS 2009 and South’ in 2003. conference and annual reports) and Valuing Education Technology in SCoTENS has also provided seed Schools in Ireland, North and South funding for North-South and all-island by John Anderson and Conor Galvin. conferences on social, scientific and They were launched by Professor environmental education (six); initial John Coolahan teacher education, citizenship and and Professor diversity education (two); educational John Furlong of research; special educational needs Oxford University’s (two); social justice education in initial Department of teacher education (two); language Education. teacher education; post-primary religious education; doctoral research Previous SCoTENS in education (three); autism; dyslexia, annual conferences literacy and inclusion; and the were on ‘Reflective competences approach to teacher Practice – professional development. Challenges for Teacher Education’ in 2009; ‘School It has also provided seed funding for Leadership Policy and Practice, North North-South research projects on the and South’ in 2008; ‘Teaching in the following subjects: the social/national Knowledge Society’ in 2007; ‘Teacher identity of young children in the border Education and Schools: Together region; ICT in teacher education; Towards Improvement’ in 2006; children with profound and multiple ‘Teacher Education for Citizenship learning difficulties; student teacher in Diverse Societies’ in 2005; ‘The exchanges; student perceptions of Changing Contexts of Teacher history, geography and science; school- Education, North and South’ (with based work in colleges of education;
Delegates at the 2010 SCoTENS annual conference. From left to right: Dr Conor Galvin, John Anderson, Mary McGeown, Deborah Gadd, Mary Yarr
144 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 the professional framework for further education teaching development of qualifications; capacity-building in Initial teachers working Teacher Education; disablist bullying; with students with art and design in teacher education; special educational mentoring physical education teachers; needs; examining Japanese research lessons in peer-to- assessment peer professional learning; and teachers' procedures for understanding of children exposed to trainee teachers; domestic abuse. universities’ role in continuing teacher professional development; work-placed A total of 61 North-South research, learning models in post-compulsory conference and exchange projects teacher education; measuring the have received financial support from value of education technologies; SCoTENS in the period 2003-2010, primary student teachers’ mathematical and 14 reports have been published. identities; Realistic Mathematics Another 14 applications were received Education; consulting pupils on in February 2011. These were in the remediation of their specific literacy following areas: promoting children’s difficulties; student teachers and the emotional health and well-being; needs of pupils with autism spectrum cyberbullying; online adult arts disorder; English as an additional education; North-South assessment language in undergraduate teacher in teacher education; mathematical education; inclusion and diversity in identity using narrative as a tool; science post-primary education; the experiences learning through teacher exchanges; of primary teachers in teaching healthy North-South educational partnerships in eating guidelines; development contexts; teachers' views building North- on the factors affecting their profesional South links in development; teaching controversial global justice history (1916 and the Somme); new education; primary challenges and opportunities for spiritual school physical education; arts- based educational SCoTENS website: Visitors and research; the Visits digitisation of Irish historical education documents; sixth year religion; peer mentoring in teacher education; spoken Irish in Irish-medium schools; the ‘lift off’ literacy programme for Irish medium schools; good practice in the teaching of pupils from ethnic minorities; continuous professional development for teaching practice supervisors; a
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 145 education; promoting a ‘restorative INTERNATIONAL CENTRE school’ learning community; primary FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL teacher education ‘transformation’ North DEVELOPMENT and South; and writing as a professional development activity in initial teacher education.
The SCoTENS website (http://scotens. org) has been updated in the past three years and highlights, in particular, resources on special education, citizenship education and teaching and The International Centre for Local learning with digital video. As can be and Regional Development (ICLRD) seen from the table on the previous is a North-South-US partnership page, this has led to a sharp increase established in 2006 to explore in the number of users. Assistance and expand the contribution that with inputting content on special needs planning and the development education has been provided by Dr Noel of physical, social and economic Purdy (Stranmillis University College) infrastructures can make to improve and on citizenship education by Dr the lives of people on the island of Rowan Oberman (St Patrick’s College Ireland and elsewhere. The partner Drumcondra). institutions are the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis SCoTENS also sponsors the ground- (NIRSA) at the National University breaking North-South Student Teacher of Ireland, Maynooth; the School Exchange, now in its seventh year, of the Built Environment at the which brings student teachers from University of Ulster; the Institute for the island’s seven colleges of primary International Urban Development in education to do a key part of their Cambridge, Massachusetts; and the assessed teaching practice in the other Centre for Cross Border Studies. jurisdiction (also see pages 130-131). The ICLRD continues to expand its SCoTENS is funded by annual grants collaboration with other institutions and from the Irish Department of Education has built close working relationships and Skills, and the Department for with individual faculty and researchers Employment and Learning and the from Harvard University, Queen's Department of Education (Northern University Belfast and Mary Immaculate Ireland). A significant proportion of College, University of Limerick. It is very its funding comes from institutional open to involving other academic and subscriptions from its 34 members, who research institutions in its activities. are universities, colleges of education, teaching councils, education trade The director of the ICLRD is John unions, education centres, curriculum Driscoll, who is assisted by two councils and other bodies involved with part-time assistant directors, Caroline teacher education. Creamer of the National Institute for
146 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Regional and Spatial Analysis at NUI Maynooth and Dr. Neale Blair of the School of the Built Environment at the University of Ulster.
The ICLRD provides independent joined- up research and policy advice on cross- border and all-island spatial planning and local and regional development. The Centre plays a pro-active role in peace and reconciliation on the island by bringing together policy makers, practitioners and academics, North and South, to work on common goals in the areas of coordinated spatial planning and social and economic development at local, regional and national levels. It does this through research, policy advice and publications; professional education and capacity building programmes that assist local authorities and communities to translate policy into ‘on the ground’ Speakers at the ICLRD/CroSPlaN 2011 action; and an outreach programme conference. From left to right: David Walsh, that includes conferences, workshops, Irish Department of Environment, Heritage advice to community organisations, and and Local Government (DEHLG); Jenny Pyper, NI Department for Regional Development; international cooperation and exchanges ICLRD Director John Driscoll and Niall Cussen to identify best practices. (DEHLG)
Stimulating economic growth and Current research projects improving living conditions to prevent and alleviate social conflict are at Sustainable Spatial Development: the heart of the ICLRD’s mission. It River Basin Management is focused on building the capacity Development Plans and their of regional and local authorities, implications for future development development agencies, border Following a joint consultation process networks and community and in 2003, eight River Basin Districts voluntary organisations to identify were established by the Department strategic areas of cooperation. Its work of Environment, Heritage and Local combines the promotion of regional Government (DoEHLG) and the planning and development as a tool Department of Environment Northern for competitiveness with local planning Ireland. Four of these river basis are in and development as a way to remedy the Republic of Ireland, one in Northern the continuing problems of social Ireland and three are cross-border. This disadvantage. study will document the challenges
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 147 Nicolas Retsinas, former US Assistant Secretary for Housing, and Dublin business consultant Michael D'Arcy at the CroSPlaN /ICLRD conference
associated with achieving integrated areas, and search for opportunities for decision-making in cross-border river shared service delivery. It will also seek basins, with a particular focus on water to resolve the problems identified in quality and the role of spatial planning. Phase I around the compatibility of data It will put forward recommendations as sources in the different jurisdictions. to how current policies – at the national, regional, local and cross-jurisdictional Governance and Planning: an scale – can be improved. international perspective ICLRD is writing a series of international Delineating Functional Territories case studies in inter-jurisdictional across the Island of Ireland: and cross-boundary governance and a cross-border case study planning to complement the recently This Higher Education Authority(HEA)- concluded study All Change But Any funded study continues an earlier ICLRD Alignment? (see below). This research research project to identify natural presents examples of innovative practice catchment areas for services and travel- in collaboration in the following areas: to-work patterns in cities and towns in • Basel Metropolitan Area: this case the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland study area – spanning Switzerland, and the border region. This follow-up France and Germany – highlights case study will focus on a number of emerging cross-border cooperation priority sectors in Sligo and Enniskillen. It in spatial planning at the sub- will identify the significant spatial linkages regional level; between these centres and surrounding • Mancomunidades in Spain: this study focuses on the provision of
148 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 services through inter-municipal it relates to the reform of local collaboration at the level of the government; micro-region; • If and how inter-jurisdictional spatial • Boston Metropolitan Area: this planning policies and operations will study provides examples from the be more closely aligned following the USA of how to promote regional various reforms to governance and development through cooperation planning in Northern Ireland and the among local governments, Republic of Ireland; metropolitan planning organisations, • Whether, in the context of the the business community and current recession, there is greater research organisations. political and community support for Together the three case studies provide the alignment of spatial planning practical examples of how cooperation policies on the island. in local and regional development can be shaped by collaborative efforts. They Delineating highlight how territorial cooperation, Functional particularly in the EU, is moving towards Territories across ‘place-based strategies’ (as promoted the Island of in the EU 2020 Strategy and the Barca Ireland: An Initial Report). The three case studies are Scoping due to be published online in early 2011. Published in October 2010, Completed research projects this HEA-funded (2009-2010) report considers the various options All Change But for mapping functional territories across Any Alignment? the island of Ireland. In undertaking a The Impact of preliminary analysis of Functional Urban the Proposed Areas (FUAs) in Ireland and Northern Governance and Ireland, the study features maps of Planning Reforms natural catchments, travel-to-work Across the Island catchments, origin-destination data, of Ireland on Inter- gravity models and urban functional Jurisdictional specialisations. The report summarises Planning the progress made by ICLRD during This report focuses Phase I of this project (with Phase II now on inter-jurisdictional planning and multi- under way), with a focus on exploring level governance and was published on the various possibilities of mapping the ICLRD website in June 2010. The functional territories to produce a set study considers: of outputs based on datasets that • The various iterations of and were available to the research team. It processes involved in the illustrates the contribution that spatial Northern Ireland Review of Public analysis can make to the potential of Administration, specifically as urban centres across the island. This
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 149 study was undertaken in collaboration County Derry/ Rural Restructuring: with the All Island Research Observatory Londonderry; Local Sustainable Solutions to the Rural Challenge (AIRO) at NUI Maynooth. Emyvale-Truagh- P ublished by International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) 39 Abbey Street Armagh BT61 7EB AughnacloyNorthern Irelandon
2009 Living Together – An investigation the Monaghan-Copyright © ICLRD of case studies and strategies for Tyrone border; and promoting Safe, Integrated and Duhallow, spanning Sustainable Communities the Cork-Kerry This research project investigated border. Building on Challenge the Rural to Solutions Sustainable Local Restructuring: Rural initiatives in Northern Ireland and the over 80 interviews, Caroline Creamer Neale Blair Karen Keaveney Brendan O’Keeffe John Driscoll Republic of Ireland as well as a wealth to improve and of secondary data, the research team build subsidised also developed a series of working housing in mixed papers on each area and held a one- communities day conference on the issue of rural (religiously and restructuring in Monaghan in May 2009. socially) through the lens of six Newry-Dundalk Twin City Region: case studies: Supporting the Implementation Springfarm (Antrim), of Cross-Border Collaborative the Irish Street Frameworks and Gobnascale ICLRD undertook this research initiative interface (Londonderry/Derry) and in cooperation Carran Crescent (Enniskillen) in Northern with Louth County Ireland, and Cranmore (Sligo), Mahon Council, Newry and (Cork) and Adamstown (Dublin) in the Mourne District Republic of Ireland. The three Northern Council, Dundalk case studies have been published in Town Council and association with the Northern Ireland InterTradeIreland. Housing Executive. Its objective was to identify (a) potential Rural Restructuring: Local projects that can Sustainable Solutions to the Rural bring long-term Challenge benefits to the This report was the culmination of ‘Twin City’ region of Newry-Dundalk; a 12-month research project which and (b) models of cooperation to assist considered the role of rural restructuring in their implementation. The resulting and economic diversification, together report was launched in February 2009 with the growing importance of the by Conor Murphy, MP MLA, Minister urban-rural interface, in the achievement for Regional Development in Northern of balanced spatial development. The Ireland, and John Gormley, TD, Minister programme of research focused on for the Environment, Heritage and Local three rural areas; Draperstown in Government of the Republic of Ireland.
150 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Borderlands: of research, training and workshops The Journal of in Northern Ireland and the Southern Spatial Planning border counties. It is under this initiative in Ireland that the ICLRD has developed and The inaugural issue implemented its professional education of Borderlands:The and training programmes. Journal of Spatial Planning in Ireland Executive Training Programme for was launched at the Newry-Dundalk Twin City Region the sixth annual This first CroSPlaN executive training ICLRD conference in Sligo on 20 programme was developed specifically January 2011. This new journal will be for the Newry-Dundalk Twin City published on an annual basis and will Region and focused on the theme of cover a range of topics of interest to ‘Shaping and Managing Cross-Border academics, practitioners and policy Development’. Held over five modules makers involved in spatial planning in venues in Newry and Ravensdale, and local and regional development. Co Louth from November 2009 to The first issue includes articles on the May 2010, it was designed to promote challenges of planning and governance good practice in spatial planning in reform on both sides of the Irish border; Newry, Dundalk and the wider eastern planning for sustainable communities; border region. Participants included balancing private sector interests with councillors, officials, and public and the ‘common good’ in planning; cross- private sector representatives from border planning in the greater Basel County Louth, Dundalk, Newry and region between Switzerland, France Mourne and Down District council areas. and Germany; and how NGOs and In addition to the 30 participants, expert academics in the Boston region have speakers from government, academia pioneered new methods of evidence- and the private sector from both sides informed planning. of the border, including representatives from the North South Ministerial Professional education and training Council (NSMC) Joint Secretariat, took part. Findings were recorded in post Much of the ICLRD’s work in 2009- module reports and these, together with 2011 has been undertaken as part of recommended reading material and the Cross-Border Spatial Planning and website links, were made available on a Training Network (CroSPlaN), an EU dedicated training website. INTERREG IVA-funded programme delivered through the Special EU Executive Training Programme for Programmes Body. Operated in the North-West Region association with the Centre for The second CroSPlaN executive training Cross Border Studies as part of its programme is being rolled out in the Ireland-Northern Ireland Cross-border North-West between October 2010 and Cooperation Observatory (INICCO), March 2011 following a development CroSPlaN is a three-year programme period involving key stakeholders from
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 151 Donegal County Council and Derry • A Changing Landscape: networking, City Council. It focuses on the theme collaborating and achieving greater ‘Fostering growth through cooperation efficiencies. in the North-West region’. The design and content of the programme builds in Among the speakers were several regional cross-border initiatives Nicolas Retsinas, Senior already under way and the particular Lecturer in Real Estate issues this cross-border region hopes and Director emeritus to address: enterprise and skills at Harvard University’s development, the green economy, Joint Center for Housing culture, access to services and Studies, and former US leadership. As with the Newry-Dundalk Assistant Secretary for training programme, the focus of the Housing-Federal Housing North-West programme is to promote Commissioner; Frank good practice in spatial planning in this McDonald, Environment cross-border region, and to assist the Editor with the Irish Times; participants to identify best practices Professor Greg Lloyd, Head in regional cooperation that might be of the School of the Built Environment, adopted by the newly established North- University of Ulster; Brian Rowntree, West Partnership Board. Chairman, Northern Ireland Housing Executive; Jenny Pyper, Director, Conferences and conference Regional Planning and Transportation presentations Division, NI Department for Regional Development; David Walsh, Principal The sixth annual Officer, Irish Department of Environment, ICLRD/CroSPlaN Heritage and Local Government; conference – Professor Rob Kitchin, Director, National The Changing Institute for Regional and Spatial Business, Analysis (NIRSA), NUI Maynooth; Community and Dermot Byrne, Chief Executive, Eirgrid; Spatial Planning Dr Gary McDarby, Complex Adaptive Landscape: Doing Systems Laboratory, University College More with Less – Dublin; and Dr Tim O’Connor, former took place in Sligo Secretary General to the President of on 20-21 January Ireland. 2011, with 115 people attending. Sessions included: As well as organising its own • Planning for Economic Recovery conferences, the ICLRD has been invited and Sustainable Growth to present its work at a number of other • Planning for Homes and People: conferences. These have included: new challenges, new agendas • Planning for Shared Innovation: • Fixing ‘Broken’ Government: infrastructure to support innovation- Functional Territories as an Impetus led recovery for Reform, Regional Studies
152 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Association Conference, University Creamer, Neale Blair, Karen of Manchester, 2 November 2010 Keaveney and Brendan O’Keeffe) (Caroline Creamer, Neale Blair and • The Colour of Money: The Justin Gleeson) (Changing) Role of Funding in • Combating Rural Poverty and Cross-Border Collaboration, MOPAN Social Exclusion, Pobal Conference, Conference, NUI Maynooth, 18 June Drogheda, 21 October 2010 (Karen 2009 (Caroline Creamer and Neale Keaveney) Blair) • Community Building through • Rural Restructuring: An Opportunity Growing Leadership: The Challenge within a Challenge, Conference of of the Border, Presentation to Irish Geographers, University College Eisenhower-Loeb Fellows, Dublin, Cork, 16 May 2009 (Caroline 5 May 2010 (Caroline Creamer and Creamer and Brendan O’Keeffe) Karen Keaveney) • Understanding and Shaping • Inter-Municipal Collaboration across Regions: Spatial, Social and Borders: Overcoming legal and Economic Futures Leuven, Belgium, institutional differences in the Irish April 2009 (Brendan O’Keeffe) Border region, American Association of Geographers (AAG) Annual Seminars and workshops Conference, Washington DC, 14 April 2010 (John Driscoll) ICLRD organises regular seminars and • Challenges and Opportunities for workshops. In the past two years these Rural Regeneration on the Island have included events on the following of Ireland, UK-Ireland Planning topics: Research Conference, Anglia Ruskin • Land Banks, Surplus Housing University, Chelmsford, 7-9 April and Unfinished Estates: Assets 2010 (Karen Keaveney) and Liabilities. Speakers from • Rural Interfaces: Reconciling the USA, and Ireland, North and Perception with Reality, Sharing our South: Nicolas Retsinas, Senior Space Event, Enniskillen, 4 March Lecturer in Real Estate, Harvard 2010 (Caroline Creamer) Business School; Brian Rowntree, • Divergence in Policy and Practice: Chairman, Northern Ireland Housing Government and Community Executive; Niall Cussen, Senior Perspectives on Rural Development, Planning Advisor, Irish Department National University of Ireland, of Environment, Heritage and Local Galway, 2 December 2009 (Brendan Government; and Grania Long, O’Keeffe and Caroline Creamer) Director, Chartered Institute of • Rural Restructuring: Local Housing NI (Sligo, January 2011) Sustainable Solutions to the • The Functionality of Place: Rural Challenge, NSMC Sectoral Determining and Mapping Functional Meeting on Agriculture and Rural Territories, with the All-Island Development, Greenmount College Research Observatory (AIRO) of Agriculture and Horticulture, (Armagh, June 2010) Antrim, 21 July 2009 (Caroline
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 153 • Evidence-Informed Planning: Making Londonderry), Duhallow (Co. Cork Information Accessible to build and Kerry) with EU partners. Both Inter-Jurisdictional Cooperation these initiatives evolved from previous (Enniskillen, January 2010) ICLRD activities including the Rural • An Invitation to Smart Growth Restructuring study and the applied (Letterkenny, January 2009). research on small connected towns in the border region. Outreach Briefing paper series Newry and Mourne and County In November 2009 the ICLRD launched Louth Cooperation Agreement its Briefing Paper series. This involves As a follow-on to the Twin City region the publication of timely online articles study and the executive training (on www.iclrd.org) that explore how programme in Newry and Mourne and various forms of planning, enacted at Louth, the ICLRD was commissioned different spatial scales, can contribute by the two councils to assist them to better collaboration on the pressing in developing a formal cooperation issues facing both the Republic of agreement that builds on their existing Ireland and Northern Ireland. Articles areas of cooperation, and opens up available to date include: further opportunities for the sharing of • Good Planning Key to Future services and joint management of key Success by Professor Rob Kitchin, resources in areas such as emergency NUI Maynooth and Professor Alastair planning, green technology and tourism Adair, University of Ulster (November and recreation. This agreement was 2009); approved by the respective councils in • Linking Spatial Planning with Public November 2010 and will be signed in Investment: Perspectives from the Brussels in early March 2011. island of Ireland by David Counsell, planner, and Professor Greg Lloyd, Truagh-Aughnacloy Community University of Ulster (December Planning 2009); Since May 2010 the ICLRD has been • The Conditions necessary for providing technical assistance to Gateway Development and the Role seven local community development of Smaller Gateways in Economic associations in both jurisdictions along Development by Professor Jim the north Monaghan and south Tyrone Walsh, NUI Maynooth and Cormac border. The development associations, Walsh, Urban Institute, University who have never worked together College Dublin (January 2010); formally before, are collaborating on • ESPON – A New Practical European a community business and social Research Agenda for Territorial economy plan. In addition, a significant Development by Cliff Hague, ESPON amount of groundwork has taken place Contact Point UK and Brendan on the development of an inter-territorial Bartley, ESPON Contact Point / transnational project, involving Truagh- Republic of Ireland (February 2010); Aughnacloy, Draperstown (Co Derry/ • Evidence-Informed Spatial Planning:
154 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 A Metro Boston Perspective by Holly at these seminars by senior officials, St Clair, Metropolitan Area Planning and the participants included senior Council (MAPC), Boston (May 2010); business, government, cross-border • Recovery Scenarios for the Two organisation and ‘third sector’ figures Irish Economies by Professor John who are regular travellers on the line. FitzGerald, Economic and Social Research Institute (July 2010). A short report out of these seminars was completed by early September Website and was submitted to the Irish Department of Transport and the NI The International Centre for Local and Department for Regional Development Regional Development’s website is at for presentation to and discussion at the www.iclrd.org next transport sectoral meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (i.e. the Ministers in charge of transport in the BELFAST-DUBLIN RAIL SEMINARS two jurisdictions) on 20 October. This discussion led to a request to the two The Centre organised two seminars operating companies to respond to the in spring-early summer 2010 on the paper and its recommendations at the Belfast-Dublin rail service from the user’s following transport sectoral meeting in perspective, following the perceived spring 2011. decline in the reliability and quality of the service, particularly since the Malahide The paper’s short-term embankment collapse the previous recommendations included: August. These seminars were organised as part of the outreach work of the • Introduction of an hourly service Border People website. within four years; • Expansion of fleet by converting The first seminar, on 11 March MRK 111 coaches; in Belfast, was addressed by Reg • Expansion of capacity at Dublin McCabe, Director of the IBEC-CBI Connolly by altering signalling; Joint Business Council and a transport • More appropriately timetabled specialist from a business viewpoint. service for business and regular The second, on 27 May in Dublin, was users; addressed by Dr Edgar Morgenroth, an • Increased co-ordination and economist specialising in infrastructure coherence between the two service and transport who was at that time operators; seconded from the Economic and • Improved cleanliness of train interiors Social Research Institute in Dublin to the and working fixtures; Northern Ireland Strategic Investment • Improved quality and cost of Board in Belfast (There is an article by catering services; Dr Morgenroth based on his address in • Improved PA announcements and this journal). Both rail companies, Irish communications; Rail and Translink, were represented • Introduction of Wi-Fi.
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 155 This was an example of the Centre of teaching and learning resources acting in response to a clearly perceived on issues of local and global conflict, cross-border problem and undertaking conflict resolution, human rights and a speedy and relevant piece of research; peace building. The project particularly consulting with stakeholders; and supports teachers to develop key bringing its findings to senior levels of skills such as critical thinking in relation government in both jurisdictions, leading to controversial issues like conflict, to action through the North South reconciliation and human rights. Over 80 Ministerial Council machinery to call the schools have participated in Education relevant state actors to account. for Reconciliation since its inception.
EDUCATION FOR RECONCILIATION Reconciliation and peace building require us to look at the difficult issues The Centre is a partner with the which have often been ignored in City of Dublin Vocational Education schools because they are deemed Committee’s Curriculum Development too controversial. Education for Unit in the 2009-2011 phase of the Reconciliation is currently supporting in- cross-border, cross-community service training on a new resource, From Education for Reconciliation project, Prison to Peace, with the involvement subtitled ‘Securing the Future through of loyalist and republican former Active Citizenship.’ The aims of this EU paramilitaries. It is also developing PEACE III-funded project, which in its teaching resources on equality and successive phases has been working diversity, and on international conflict with teachers in both jurisdictions since resolution (a case study of the Palestine/ 1998, have remained consistent. Israel conflict in relation to human rights They are: and international law). It is carrying out action research on developing young • To contribute to peace and people’s voice in the classroom, and reconciliation, human rights and also offers initial support to participating justice through citizenship education schools in developing restorative • To enable young people to develop practices and peer mediation within the the understanding, attitudes and school community. skills to be active citizens in relation to reconciliation, conflict and 42 teachers from 25 schools across controversial issues within their Northern Ireland and the northern communities and society part of the Republic of Ireland are • To embed reconciliation as a key involved in the current phase of the element within citizenship education. project. They are drawn from a wide range of school types (grammar and The project aims to achieve this secondary – Protestant and Catholic through a cross-border programme of – and alternative education centres professional development for citizenship in the North; community, vocational education teachers in second-level and gaelscoileanna in the Republic) schools, and through the development from Belfast; Newtownabbey and
156 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Crumlin, Co Antrim; Ballynahinch and the Centre for Cross Border Studies Dromore, Co Down; Keady, Co Armagh; itself. The research assignments under Strabane and Dungannon, Co Tyrone; the North/South public sector training Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh; Belturbet, project (see above) also involved Co Cavan; Arranmore Island, Bundoran, civil and public servants from both Carndonagh, Dungloe and Falcarragh, jurisdictions. Co Donegal; Dunleer and Dundalk, Co Louth; Sligo, and Drumshambo, Co The Centre has published the following Leitrim. For further information see research projects: www.reconciliation.ie. The Evolution of Telecom PAST RESEARCH PROJECTS Technologies: Current Trends The Centre has commissioned and Near-Future and published 17 cross-border Implications (2001) research projects in the fields of A number of telecommunications developments, case studies of health services, disadvantage in developments in mobile education, EU funding programmes, and wireless telephony local government links, mental health across the Irish border from a research promotion, waste management policies, team led by two of Ireland’s leading local history societies, animal health, the specialists in information retrieval, euro, local sustainable development, data analysis and image and signal diversity in early years education, processing: Professor Fionn Murtagh, science and citizenship education, then of Queen’s University Belfast, and public sector training, hospital services, Dr John Keating of National University mental health research and government of Ireland Maynooth. The project was services to minority ethnic groups. sponsored by eircom.
These projects involved researchers Cross-Border Co- drawn from 13 universities, colleges operation in Health and independent research centres in Services in Ireland Ireland and Britain: Queen’s University (2001) Belfast, University of Ulster, Dublin City A study of the past, University, University College Dublin, present and potential National University of Ireland Galway, for future co-operation National University of Ireland Maynooth, in health services St Patrick’s College Drumcondra, across the Irish border Stranmillis University College, the by a research team led Institute of Public Administration, by Dr Jim Jamison, formerly director of Belfast City Hospital, Dundalk Institute the Health and Social Care Research of Technology, the London School of Unit at Queen’s University Belfast, and Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and including Professor Martin McKee of
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 157 the London School of Hygiene and the EU’s funding programme for cross- Tropical Medicine, Dr Ciaran O’Neill border co-operation, INTERREG. of the University of Ulster, and Ms Michelle Butler of the Institute of Public Cross-Border Administration in Dublin. Co-operation in Local Government: Ireland’s Learning Models of Poor: Adult Management, Educational Development and Disadvantage and Reconciliation (2001) Cross-Border Co- A study by Professor operation (2001) Derek Birrell and A study of the needs Amanda Hayes of of the more than a the University of Ulster of the different million people on kinds of cross-border links between the island who left local authorities, including one-to-one school with few or no qualifications by linkages, local government cross- Dr Mark Morgan of St Patrick’s College, border networks, and cross-border Drumcondra, and Mr Paul McGill, partnerships involving other agencies. It formerly education correspondent of the also analysed the project management Belfast Telegraph. They concluded that methods used, the views of the current policies in both jurisdictions were councillors involved and the involvement far removed from a vision of lifelong of the European Union. learning which allows people of all ages and social classes equal access to The Foot-and-Mouth education and training. Disease Crisis and the Irish Border Creating Living (2002) Institutions: A study of the cross- EU Cross-Border border dimension Co-operation after of the 2001 foot- the Good Friday and-mouth disease Agreement (2001) outbreak by the A study by Professor Centre’s research Brigid Laffan and Dr manager, Dr Patricia Clarke, with Diane Payne of the comments from the Departments of Institute for British- Agriculture in Belfast and Dublin. Issued Irish Studies at University College Dublin, exactly a year after the original outbreak which analysed the interaction between in England, the report’s findings were the North-South Institutions set up under praised by the two Ministers, Brid the Good Friday Agreement – notably Rodgers and Joe Walsh, as “extremely the North South Ministerial Council and valuable” in helping the Departments the Special EU Programmes Body - and to formulate actions to deal with animal health emergencies.
158 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Promoting Mental Agenda 21 process) Health and Social by local authorities Well-being: and social partners Cross-Border throughout Ireland, by Opportunities and a cross-border team Challenges (2002) comprising Geraint This is a two-part Ellis and Dr Bill Neill of study by a team from the Queen’s University National University Belfast’s School of of Ireland Galway led by Dr Margaret Environmental Planning, and Dublin- Barry and Ms Sharon Friel. It examined based researchers Una Hand and Brian a number of cross-border projects Motherway. It found that 54% of local in the areas of postnatal depression, authorities on the island had begun a public awareness of suicide, cancer process of LA21, but stressed that the support services, the mental health of main challenge is to move from debate young men and mental health in rural to action. communities. The study also looked at the comparability and compatibility of Diversity in Early mental health data sources in the two Years Education jurisdictions. North and South: Implications for The Local History Teacher Education Project: Co- (2004) operating North The aim of this EU- and South (2003) funded study was to This study, by Dr identify the difficulties Jacinta Prunty, Dr facing teachers and Raymond Gillespie children in areas of inter-community and Maeve Mulryan- conflict and tension on both sides of the Moloney of National Irish border with a view to developing a University of Ireland framework for preparing young teachers Maynooth, provided the basis for the working with children in the early years. first all-Ireland register of local history It was carried out by researchers at societies. They identified 330 societies, St Patrick’s College Drumcondra in but estimated that a complete list would Dublin and Stranmillis University College exceed 500 societies, North and South, in Belfast, Mairin Kenny and Helen involving an active membership of McLaughlin, under the direction of perhaps 28,000 persons. Philomena Donnelly and Louise Quinn.
Towards a Green Isle? Local Citizenship and Science: The Sustainable Development on the Connecting Axes (2005) Island of Ireland (2004) The final report of the EU-funded A study of local sustainable development Citizenship and Science Exchange as carried out (through the Local (CaSE) Schools project looked at how
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 159 a group of 12-14 Organisation and Social Development year old students in Consultants in Edinburgh. 16 schools on both sides of the border The Wind Across the deepened their Border (2007) This understanding of the report brought together dynamic relationship six award winning between science research assignments and citizenship. The carried out by pairs students explored subjects such as air and teams of officials and water pollution, waste management, as part of the North/ GM and fair trade foods, renewable South and Cross- energy and energy efficiency. Much of Border Public Sector the cross-border work centred on a Training Programme. They were on the shared Web resource. This project proposed reopening of the Ulster Canal; was led by Professor Peter McKenna an all-island service for the recycling of and Dr Charlotte Holland of Dublin City waste fridges and freezers; expanding University. the CAWT-sponsored eMed renal information system to the whole island; Improving an all-island visitor pass for heritage Government sites; setting up a cross-border training Service Delivery and accreditation system for installers to Minority Ethnic of renewable energy technologies; Groups (2006). This and cross-border sharing of patient study, funded by the electronic records. Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in Removing the Northern Ireland (with additional funding Barriers: An Initial from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Report on the Trust and the British Council), examined Potential for Cross- how public services such as health, Border Cooperation education, policing and employment in Hospital Services support are provided to minority ethnic (2007) groups in Northern Ireland, Republic of This short report Ireland and Scotland. It had a particular compared the planning focus on how Northern Ireland’s public of hospital service authorities could learn from their nearest reorganisation, North and South. It neighbours. The research work was noted that there are different strategies carried out by a partnership led by the in the two jurisdictions, with Northern National Consultative Committee on Ireland placing greater emphasis on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI), travel time and the Republic on the together with Piaras MacEinri from size of the catchment population. The University College Cork, the Institute authors,independent Belfast researcher for Conflict Research in Belfast and Dr Jim Jamison and Dr Michelle Butler,
160 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Senior Lecturer in UCD’s School of This study by CCBS Deputy Director Nursing Midwifery and Health Systems, Ruth Taillon features feedback from point to the clear scope for joint 11 focus groups in the border region hospital planning and rationalisation in and case studies of service users and the border region to benefit the health of campaigning community groups in three the population. areas: cancer care in the North-West; cystic fibrosis in the two jurisdictions; Mental Health: The and the campaign for a hospital in Case for a Cross- Omagh. Among the recommendations Jurisdictional are that Patient and Public Involvement Approach (PPI) concepts in hospital planning combining Policy should be properly implemented and and Research that service users from both jurisdictions Efforts on the should be involved in the planning of Island of Ireland new services at Altnagelvin (Derry/ (2009) Londonderry) and Enniskillen hospitals. This study by Dr The full report and an executive Patricia Clarke of CCBS explored the summary are available on the context of and challenges to the reform CCBS website. of mental health services (and related research) in Northern Ireland and COMMISSIONED STUDIES Republic of Ireland. It compared the two AND EVALUATIONS main mental health documents – the Bamford Review in the North and A The Centre has carried out studies Vision for Change in the South – in order and evaluations for government and to identify similarities and differences in other public agencies and social policy approach in the two jurisdictions, partner organisations. These have highlighting areas of common concern, included: priorities for research and the gaps which exist. This work was carried • A second review of the 2008 study in association with the Mental Health of postgraduate flows from the Commission (RoI), Cooperation and Republic of Ireland to Northern Working Together (CAWT) and other Ireland for the Irish Department of agencies in the mental health field. Education and Skills (December 2010) Exploring the • A study of North-South cooperation Potential for Cross- in the education sector (pre-school, Border Hospital primary, secondary) for the Irish Services in the Irish Department of Education and Skills Border Region: the and the Department of Education role of community Northern Ireland (January-June involvement in 2010) planning hospital • A review of cross-border consumer services (2010) issues, employment issues and
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 161 railway links, as reflected in Border commissioned by the Higher People queries and user group Education Authority under the 2004- meetings, for the North South 2006 Cross-Border Programme for Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat Research contributing to Peace and (December 2009-April 2010) Reconciliation: Intergenerational • A study of the numbers of people transmission and ethno-national crossing the border on a daily/ identity in the border area; Equality weekly basis and what they are and social inclusion; Mapping crossing the border to do (to Frontiers, Plotting Pathways; work, study, retire, access medical E-consultation; and Virtual Research services etc), for the EURES Centre for Point-of-Care Technology Crossborder Partnership (February (February 2007). 2010) • An overview of the activities of the • A review of the 2008 study of Common Chapter of the Republic of postgraduate flows from the Ireland’s National Development Plan Republic of Ireland to Northern and Northern Ireland’s Structural Ireland for the Irish Department of Funds Plan for the Special EU Education and Science (December Programmes Body – in partnership 2009) with FPM Chartered Accountants • A study of mental health policy and (February 2007) research on the island of Ireland, • A report on public attitudes to the for the Mental Health Commission development of cross-border health (RoI) and other agencies, supported services, with particular reference to by the Cooperation and Working GP out-of-hours services, for CAWT Together (CAWT) cross-border (January 2007) network of health authorities • A report on education and skills (December 2008) in the North West, for the Irish • An evaluation of the cross-border Department of Education and GP out-of-hours service for Science and the Northern Ireland Cooperation and Working Together Department for Employment and (July 2008) Learning (2006) • A study of postgraduate flows from • An Evaluation of the Education for the Republic of Ireland to Northern Reconciliation Project (Year One Ireland higher education institutions, and Two), for the City of Dublin for the Irish Department of Education Vocational Education Committee and Science (January 2008) (2003-2005) • How the trade union movement • A Review of Cross-Border Mobility can become more involved Information Provisions in the South and influential in North-South of Ireland, for the North/South cooperation, for the Northern Ireland Mobility Information Group (2003) office of the Irish Congress of Trade • An Evaluation of the Upstate Unions (December 2007). Theatre Company’s ‘Crossover’ • A review of policy recommendations cross-border community drama from the five research projects project (2002-2004)
162 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 • ‘Towards a Strategic Economic • Agriculture and Business Research Agenda • Education for the island of Ireland’, for • Tourism InterTradeIreland (2002) • Information and Communication • A report on public feedback to the Technologies PricewaterhouseCoopers/Indecon • Health Services Obstacles to Mobility study, for the • Mental Health Promotion North South Ministerial Council • Developments in Telecom (2002) Technologies • A study into the feasibility of • Local government links extending University for Industry/ • Foot and Mouth disease learndirect to the Republic of Ireland, • School, Youth and Teacher for University for Industry (2001) Exchanges • An evaluation of the Co-operation • European citizenship education and Working Together (CAWT) • The euro cross-border network of health • Business research boards and trusts, for CAWT (2001) • The North-South Consultative Forum • A ‘scoping study’ of North-South • Ageing School, Youth and Teacher • Border region history* Exchanges, for the Department of • Border region regeneration* Education Northern Ireland and • Waste Management the Department of Education and • Economic co-operation* Science (2001) • Planning and mobility in the north- west* SEMINARS AND STUDY DAYS • Science and Citizenship • Information provision The Centre holds regular seminars and • Housing and sustainable study days in Armagh, Dublin and in communities the border region to examine strategic • Education and Skills in the North areas of interest to North-South policy West makers. These bring together groups • Mental Health Research of policy makers, senior practitioners • Personal Banking and academics to discuss a research • Web 2.0 aspects of online cross- paper prepared by the Centre under border information the chairmanship of a distinguished • Cross-border statistics authority in the field. As the Centre’s • Cross-border consumer issues research programme has developed, these seminars have moved from * For the Mapping Frontiers, Plotting studying broad policy fields to examining Pathways project more focussed areas which have been the subject of specific research projects and commissioned work. Cross-border seminars and study days have been organised in the following areas:
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 163 NORTH/SOUTH RESEARCH FORUM Innovation Centre (C-TRIC) at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry and Head of Research There have been three meetings of and Development at the Western Health the North/South Research Forum and Social Care Trust (C-TRIC’s work (NSRF) to date. This initiative, which on innovative health technologies won is funded by the EU INTERREG IVA the 2010 Irish Times/InterTradeIreland programme (managed by the Special cross-border innovation award). EU Programmes Body) through the Ireland/Northern Ireland Cross-border The third forum was held in Belfast Cooperation Observatory (INICCO), aims under the title ‘The Future of Public to bring together researchers, policy- Sector Cross-Border Cooperation in makers and funders interested in North- a Difficult Financial Climate’. It was South and cross-border cooperation in addressed by two of the island’s leading Ireland every six months to discuss a economists – Irish Times commentator research and/or policy issue of current and former Ulster Bank chief economist interest. Pat McArdle and the Director of the Economic Research Institute of Northern The first meeting was in Dundalk in Ireland (ERINI), Victor Hewitt – and December 2009 under the title ‘What CCBS Director Andy Pollak. The chair is the future for local and cross-border was Shaun Henry, Director, Managing economic development in the context of Authority, Special EU Programmes Body. the global economic crisis’. The keynote speakers were the economist Michael CONFERENCES Smyth of University of Ulster and Celine McHugh, a senior policy advisor with The first major conference Forfás, the Republic’s national policy organised by the Centre, advisory body for enterprise and jointly with the Centre science. for International Borders Research (CIBR), was The second forum was also in Dundalk, held at Queen’s University on 24 June 2010, with the theme Belfast in autumn 2000 ‘Cross-Border Innovation and Creativity’. under the title ‘European It was addressed by Padraic White, Cross Border Co- Chairman of Louth Economic Forum, operation: Lessons Chairman of the West Belfast and for and from Ireland.’ Greater Shankill Enterprise Council and This international conference was former IDA Chief Executive; Michael opened by the Irish President, Mary Curran, Louth Local Authorities’ Director McAleese, and was addressed by a of Economic Development and Future wide range of distinguished speakers, Planning, and head of the EU-funded including the First Minister of Northern HOLISTIC green energy project with Ireland, David Trimble; the Deputy towns in Austria and Switzerland; and First Minister, Seamus Mallon; the Dr Maurice O’Kane, Chief Executive of RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie the Clinical Translational Research and Flanagan; the head of the EU’s cross-
164 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 border INTERREG programme, Esben the Island of Ireland?’ Poulsen; the international emergency The keynote speakers communications expert, Professor were Lindy Hyam, Chief Edward Johnson; Ambassador Hermann Executive of IDP Education von Richthofen of the German-Polish Australia, a world leader Governmental Commission; and the in international education SDLP leader John Hume. Participants and development services, came from 13 countries to discuss and Neil Kemp, director of cross-border co-operation in five areas: the Education UK Division administrative institutions, security and of the British Council. The policing, business and the economy, the conference was chaired by environment, and culture and the arts. Sir George Quigley.
The Centre has also In November 2003, organised six North-South the third conference conferences on aspects was held in Belfast of higher education on on ‘Widening behalf of the Department Access to Third for Employment and Level Education Learning (Belfast) and the on the Island of Department of Education Ireland: Towards and Science (Dublin). The Better Policy and first of these, in October Practice’. The keynote 2002 in Armagh, was on speakers were Dr Arnold Mitchem, ‘Ireland as a Centre of Excellence President of the Council for Opportunity in Third Level Education.’ This in Education in Washington DC, a conference, which was attended by champion of access to higher education the presidents of seven of the nine for low income and disabled Americans universities on the island of Ireland, was for 35 years, and Samuel Isaacs, addressed by several world authorities Executive Officer of the South African on higher education. These included Qualifications Authority. Professor Malcolm Skilbeck, the OECD’s former Deputy Director for Education; The fourth conference former US Secretary of Education, – entitled ‘Cross- Richard Riley; the Director-General for Border Higher Education and Culture in the European Education Co- Commission, Nikolaus van der Pas, and operation in Ireland the Chief Executive of the English Higher and Europe’ – was Education Funding Council, Sir Howard held in Cavan in May Newby. 2004. This examined examples of good In May 2003, the second conference practice in cross- was held in Cavan on ‘International border higher education elsewhere in Education: A Capacity Builder for Europe, notably in the Oresund region
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 165 of Denmark and southern Sweden the Directors General (with keynote speaker Professor Linda of the Confederation Nielsen, Rector of the University of of British Industry and Copenhagen), and the EUCOR network the Irish Business between French, German and Swiss and Employers universities in the Upper Rhine region. Confederation, Sir The conference was co-chaired by Sir Digby Jones and Kenneth Bloomfield and Noel Dorr. Turlough O’Sullivan; the Education and The fifth conference was held in Belfast Training Officer of the Irish Congress in June 2005 under the title ‘Higher of Trade Unions, Peter Rigney; the Education and Business: Beyond Chief Executive of Forfás, Martin Mutual Incomprehension’. The Cronin, and the President of Dublin keynote speaker was City University, Professor Ferdinand Richard Lambert, von Prondzynski. The conference was member of the opened by the Secretary General of Bank of England’s the Irish Department for Education and Monetary Policy Science, Brigid McManus, and the Committee, former Permanent Secretary of the Northern editor of the Financial Ireland Department for Employment and Times and author of Learning, Dr Aideen McGinley. The event the seminal Lambert was organised in collaboration with the Review of University- IBEC-CBI Joint Business Council. Business Collaboration for the British Government. The conference was In March 2007 the opened by the Irish Minister for Centre joined with Education and Science, Ms Mary Armagh Observatory Hanafin TD, and the Northern Ireland to organise ‘Discover Minister for Employment and Learning the Stars at Armagh: and Education, Ms Angela Smyth MP. a Cross-Border Other speakers included the Presidents Schools Science of Queen’s University Belfast and NUI Conference.’ This Maynooth, Professor Peter Gregson and brought together Professor John Hughes, and leading 260 students from secondary schools Irish entrepreneurs Dr Chris Horn and in Belfast, Armagh, Dublin, Dundalk, Dr Hugh Cormican. Drogheda, Dungannon, Kilkeel, Cookstown, Fermanagh, Monaghan The sixth conference was held in and Westmeath to engage in two days Malahide in March 2006 with the title of astronomical activities in Armagh. ‘What role for Higher Education The event was funded by the Northern in the Development of the 21st Ireland Department of Culture, Arts Century Workplace?’ The keynote and Leisure and the Irish Department speakers were the Board Chairman of of Education and Science, and was the Intel Corporation, Dr Craig Barrett; designed to attract students aged 13-14
166 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 towards science and a scientific thinking Observatory and the Armagh at a critical stage of their academic Planetarium came together to organise careers. A 32 page booklet, edited by a second ‘Discover the Stars in Dr Miruna Popescu, was produced for Armagh: the Second Cross-Border the participating schools by Observatory Schools Science Conference’. Again students and staff. this brought together 260 students from 16 secondary schools on both In June 2008 the sides of the border to learn about Centre organised a astronomy and related sciences and major conference mathematics, using the unique joint in Dundalk entitled facilities of the Observatory and the ‘Cross-Border Planetarium. The keynote lecture on Cooperation ‘The Science of Armageddon’ was as part of the given by the leading British astronomer, Northern Irish Jay Tate of Spaceguard UK in Wales, Peace Process: and there were structured educational Some Lessons for activities around the Planetarium’s ‘Star Europe’ which was attended by over Show’ and the Observatory’s work 130 people from 13 countries: Ireland, on meteorites and the Human Orrery. England, Scotland, France, Spain, The conference celebrated 2009 as Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, the United Nations International Year Serbia, Kosovo, China and the USA. of Astronomy. A third Cross-Border The conference was opened by the Irish Schools Science Conference will be held Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern TD, in Armagh in May 2011. and among the speakers were Stephen Kingon, Chairman, Invest Northern THE TRANSFRONTIER EURO- Ireland; Martin Guillermo Ramirez, INSTITUTE NETWORK (TEIN) Secretary General of the Association of European Border Regions; Ronald Hall, In November 2011 the Centre will Head of the European Commission’s organise an international conference Northern Ireland Task Force; Professor on cross-border training at a venue Elizabeth Meehan, former Director of in the Irish border region. It will bring the Institute of Governance at Queen’s together lecturers and students from University Belfast; Silvia Gobert-Keckeis centres and institutes of cross-border of Mission Opérationelle Transfrontalière cooperation all over Europe together (MOT) in Paris); Linda Blom from the with public service officials involved in its Euregio Gronau-Enschede (Germany- implementation in Ireland and Europe. Netherlands); and Gorka Espiau Idoiaga, Senior Advisor for Peacebuilding to the This is an outcome of the Centre’s Basque Government. This conference involvement in the Transfrontier Euro- was funded by the EU Peace Two Institute Network. This is a new EU programme. Leonardo programme-funded network consisting of the following partnered In April 2009 the Centre, the Royal research and training institutes and School Armagh, the Armagh
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 167 Participants at the first meeting of the Transfrontier Euro-Institute Network (TEIN) in Kehl, Germany, October 2010
centres, and university departments of • Université de Nice; Région Provence cross-border studies and cross-border Alpes Côte d’Azur (French-Italian cooperation: border) • Institut Européen pour la • Euro-Institut, Kehl (German-French- Coopération Territoriale (French- Swiss borders)(lead partner) Belgian border) • Carinthian University of Applied • University of Southern Denmark, Sciences, Villach; University of Department of Border Region Ljubljana, Faculty of Administration; Studies (Danish-German border) ForSer (Austrian-Slovene-Italian • Centre for Cross Border Studies borders) (Northern Irish-Irish border) • Olza Association; Institut Euroschola (Czech-Polish border) TEIN’s inaugural meeting took place in • Euro-Institut Caribéen (Caribbean Kehl in October 2010. It aims to identify space) and begin to develop tools, methods • Catalan Euro-Institute for Cross- and skills for cross-border training in Border Cooperation (Catalonia); Europe; start the process of developing • Université de Pau et des Pays de a certification system for such cross- l’Adour (Basque Country) border training; provide the EU with a
168 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 trans-European network of cross-border development of the website www. training centres, and develop locally borderpeople.info which the Centre relevant training networks in specific operates in partnership with the NSMC fields such as public administration. Joint Secretariat. Traffic to Border People remains strong, with a monthly PUBLICATIONS average of 6,478 visitors viewing 14,813 pages. Reciprocal links have been In 2001 the Centre published, in successfully established with NI Direct association with Cork University Press, a and Citizens Information, the public series of short books containing essays service providers for both jurisdictions. by leading writers on key issues of The Centre has also provided very interest to both Irish jurisdictions: valuable assistance to the NSMC Joint Secretariat in its work on identifying new • Multi-Culturalism: and emerging cross-border mobility the View from the issues. The Centre has organised focus Two Irelands by group discussions with key stakeholders Edna Longley and on consumer, transport and employment Declan Kiberd, related issues. with a foreword by President Mary We commend the Centre for its high McAleese quality research, particularly in the health • Can the Celtic and education sectors. We look forward Tiger cross the to continuing our co-operation with the Irish Border? by Centre in 2011 and wish Andy Pollak John Bradley and and his team every success with Esmond Birnie, their work. with a foreword by Peter Sutherland North/South Ministerial Council Joint • Towards a Culture Secretaries, Mary Bunting and Anne of Human Rights Barrington, February 2011 in Ireland by Ivana Bacik and Stephen I was delighted to attend the opening Livingstone, with a of the Centre for Cross Border Studies foreword by Mary Robinson in Armagh as Minister for Education in November 1999, and I have watched WHAT THEY SAY with admiration as the Centre has gone from strength to strength over The Centre for Cross Border Studies more than a decade since. This has continues to play an important role in been a courageous and pioneering researching, developing and promoting initiative begun and sustained at times cross border co-operation. of considerable political uncertainty. The extremely high quality of the Centre’s We particularly welcome the work that research and analysis is understood the Centre is taking forward on the and respected now by decision-makers
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 169 International conference in Strasbourg in October 2010 attended and addressed by Ruth Taillon and Andy Pollak
throughout the island, as well as by The Centre for Cross Border Studies and academics and practitioners further its researchers are to be congratulated afield. The Journal we are launching on their terrific record of achievement today can only add, once again, to over the past 10 years. They have been that fine reputation. This new edition is at the forefront of policy research and packed tight with informative opinion development on a cross-border basis and insightful comment and will provide at a time of very significant change on much food for thought for policy-makers the island, providing leadership and and commentators North and South energy and dynamism in this key area. over the period ahead. They have added to the knowledge base and brought together policy- Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál makers, academics and researchers Martin, April 2010 to seek practical solutions to issues of real relevance to people in Northern I want to thank the Centre for Cross Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. One Border Studies and Andy Pollak for example of this kind of relevant work, all their work in helping to bring about undertaken in close collaboration with greater cross-border understanding in a the North South Ministerial Council, is number of key areas. the development of the Border People mobility information website. The cross- Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson MP MLA, border mobility issues on which this June 2009 website provides information are a key
170 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 Students and speakers at the Trinity College Dublin 'Hist' North-South student debate with Irish Minister for Communications, Energy and National Resources, Eamon Ryan TD, Basil McCrea MLA, and NI Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew MP MLA (see page 141) priority for Ministers on both sides of the The Centre for Cross Border Studies border. is an important catalyst for bringing people to work together across a range I warmly and openly pay tribute to the of social and economic issues and thus Centre's work. Without their energy find out what they have in common. The and enthusiasm, the kind of practical tragedy of the recent past on this island cross-border cooperation issues now is that we turned our backs on each considered part of the mainstream other and did everything separately. The certainly wouldn't be considered as value the Centre adds is to show how self-evidently important as they now are. much more we can achieve by working When the Centre set out on its journey together. The whole reconciliation 10 years ago they were not considered project on the island of Ireland is about self-evident at all. I particularly commend people learning that they have so many the new series of INTERREG-funded interests in common. The Centre’s research projects on the border region research and development work is economy, cross-border spatial planning, key to building that kind of practical, health, impact assessment and mobility mutually beneficial cooperation and information which they are currently collaboration. embarking on. The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil March 2009 Service, Sir Bruce Robinson, March 2009
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 171 I have so far only been able to skim significant North-South agenda on a the contents of your latest Journal of purely practical basis, and looking at Cross Border Studies in Ireland. But it is the concept of an all-island economy. clear that this publication – as indeed, We need to maximise the benefits of the Centre for Cross Border Studies this cross-border work, identifying what of which it is a product – goes from will and will not succeed. This is not strength to strength, and that the new an academic exercise – its practical edition makes a superb contribution to outcomes are almost limitless. In the consolidation and elaboration of the economic terms this is a pretty small North/South agenda. island which should be looking outwards towards the global economy rather than Sir George Quigley, Chairman, inwards. We need to be encouraging Bombardier Aerospace, March 2009 cross-border cooperation to gain the maximum benefits for Northern Ireland I mean it quite genuinely when I say in that global context. This is very rich that we wouldn’t be able to work at and fruitful territory for the Centre to be the level that we are working at – at working in. ministerial or departmental level – if the ‘on the ground’ cross-border work Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, hadn’t been happening for the last Rt Hon Peter Hain MP, February 2007 few years. If the type of interactions, workshops, seminars, publications and The Centre for Cross Border Studies visiting speakers hadn’t been going on always takes a very fresh and innovative in frameworks like that of SCoTENS, approach, bringing together sources of the barriers wouldn’t have been energy on both sides of the border that broken down to the same degree. The used to be back to back but are now in contribution that SCoTENS, the Centre an extraordinary dialogue. for Cross Border Studies and Andy Pollak have made to the overall process President Mary McAleese, February of peace and cooperation in this 2005 country is probably not widely noticed, but it is certainly well-recognised and EVALUATION QUOTES well appreciated as part of the overall process. by Brian Harvey (Brian Harvey Social Research, Dublin) Irish Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin TD, November 2007 ‘Clients of the Centre appraised its work as more than competent, demonstrating What the Centre for Cross Border the highest levels of professionalism, Studies is doing is really important. We coupled with commitment and invariable hope that you will provide analytical and courtesy. Expert opinion likewise gave research support to what we’re trying to a high assessment of the Centre’s do in the British-Irish Intergovernmental performance, admiring its quality, output, Conference, pushing forward a impact, relevance, value for money,
172 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 working methods, expertise, vision, tact ‘All had a sense that the Centre had and diplomacy. performed well on minimal staffing and resources. “It is transparent, managing Comments were: “its projects are an extensive programme, working always very thorough”; “doing a great within tight timeframes and with a small job in challenging circumstances”; “the number of staff“. director has an excellent grasp of what is necessary to move things along”; One organisation, whose work “nothing more important than north- had been facilitated by the Centre, south reconciliation”; “contributes a spoke enthusiastically of the Centre’s significant amount of information to the commitment to arranging cross-border wider policy arena”; “does important contacts and promoting relationships work and deserves more exposure”. between groups that had hitherto little contact, making the comment that: The Centre was considered to be “Once the relationship was established professional, reliable and worked hard. and got going, the Centre walked quietly Its staff were “a pleasure to deal with”. away. It didn’t try to hog the limelight They did a “tremendous job”, provided or build an empire but let them get on “good support and service”, “they do with it”. what they have to do – and more.” All the staff were good – “but that comes from the values set down from the director at the top”. They were “efficient, focussed, interested and believed in what they were doing”.
‘Several commented that the Centre went beyond what was expected, “treating the project pro-actively, bringing fresh energy and commitment, finding imaginative ways to work around problems”.
The Centre was admired and respected for its commitment, energy, political even-handedness and ability to open doors to people who might not otherwise be in contact with each other. It has oiled the wheels of co-operation better than anyone else could, bringing an ever wider range of people into co- operation – “not just border people, but as far south as Cork”.
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 173 174 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF
Dr Chris Gibson (chair), chairman, Foyle Meats Group and Wilson’s Country Ltd; formerly pro-chancellor, Queen’s University Belfast; chair, Chartered Accountants Chris Gibson Regulatory Board
Helen Johnston (chair designate), senior social policy analyst, National Economic and Social Council, Dublin, and former director, Combat Poverty Agency
Dr Pauric Travers (vice-chair), president, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin Helen Johnston
Dr Jane Wilde, director, the Institute of Public Health in Ireland
Professor Liam O’Dowd, director of the Centre for International Borders Research and professor of sociology at Queen’s University Belfast Mairéad Hughes Professor Ronaldo Munck, strategic theme leader for internationalisation, interculturalism and social development, Dublin City University
Colin Neilands, director, Workers’ Educational Association (Northern Ireland) Ruth Taillon Professor Dermot Diamond, director, Science Foundation Ireland-funded ‘Adaptive Information Cluster’, National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University
Tony Kennedy, former chief executive, Co-operation Ireland, and member, Northern Ireland Community Relations Council Andy Pollak Colin Stutt, independent economic consultant, Belfast
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 175 The director of the Centre is Andy Pollak, formerly religion and education correspondent and Belfast reporter with The Irish Times, and in the early 1990s coordinator of the Opsahl Commission.
The Centre’s deputy director (research) is Ruth Taillon, formerly research coordinator with Border Action (partnership of Combat Poverty Agency and Pobal). Its IT manager is Joseph Shiels, a former software developer with Fujitsu and consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The Centre’s finance and administration manager isMairéad Hughes. The director’s PA and events manager is Patricia McAllister. The INICCO project administrator is Eimear Donnelly. The information officer isAnnmarie O’Kane.
Patricia McAllister Joseph Shiels Eimear Donnelly Annmarie O’Kane
176 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 EXTRACTS FROM 2009-2010 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The opinion of the independent auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP:
• The financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, of the state of the charitable company’s affairs at 31 July 2010 and of its net incoming resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended; • and the financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, and • the information given in the Directors’ Report is consistent with the financial statements.
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2010 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2010 2009 Note £ £ £ £
Incoming resources/income Incoming resources from generated funds Activities for generating funds - 818,321 818,321 755,684
Incoming resources from charitable activities Other incoming resources 326,491 - 326,491 334,983
Total incoming resources 326,491 818,321 1,144,812 1,090,667
Resources expended/expenditure Charitable activities 334,002 651,958 985,960 999,762 Costs of generating funds 7,518 851 8,369 20,635 Governance costs 3,995 - 3,995 3,525
Total resources expended 345,515 652,809 998,324 1,023,992
Net movement in funds/net income (19,024) 165,512 146,488 66,745 and expenditure
Total funds brought forward 202,132 339,770 541,902 475,157
Total funds carried forward 183,108 505,282 688,390 541,902
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 177 The allocation of funds brought forward between restricted and unrestricted has been restated to reflect a review of the balances and future commitments. All amounts above relate to continuing operations of the Centre.
The Centre has no recognised gains and losses other than those included in the results above and therefore no separate statement of total recognised gains and losses has been presented.
There is no material difference between the net movement in funds for the year and their historical cost equivalents.
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 JULY 2010
2010 2009 Notes £ £
Current assets Debtors 938,486 730,523 Cash at bank and in hand 1,855 -
940,341 730,523 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (251,951) (188,621)
Net current assets 688,390 541,902
Funds Unrestricted 183,108 202,132 Restricted 505,282 339,770
Total funds 688,390 541,902
Unrestricted funds are amounts which are expendable at the discretion of the Board in furtherance of the aims of the company.
Restricted funds are amounts which are expendable only in accordance with the specified wishes of the sponsor. The restricted funds consist of grants and awards for specific projects and awards for specific projects or administrative functions carried out by the company.
178 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 CONTACT DETAILS
MAIN OFFICE
The Centre for Cross Border Studies 39 Abbey Street Armagh BT61 7EB Northern Ireland
Tel: (028) 3751 1550 Fax: (028) 3751 1721 (048 from the Republic of Ireland)
DUBLIN OFFICE
The Centre for Cross Border Studies Room QG11 Business School Dublin City University Dublin 9 Ireland
Tel: (01) 7008477 Fax: (01) 7008478 (00353-1 from Northern Ireland)
E-mail addresses: [email protected] Andy Pollak [email protected] Mairéad Hughes [email protected] Ruth Taillon [email protected] Joseph Shiels [email protected] Patricia McAllister [email protected] Eimear Donnelly [email protected] Annmarie O’Kane
Websites: www.crossborder.ie www.borderireland.info www.borderpeople.info
JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6 179 This Journal was designed by
Ashley Bingham Senior Designer Leslie Stannage Design Arbor Building 71-75 Donegall Pass Belfast BT7 1NR
Tel: 028 9022 4455 Email: [email protected] Web: www.l-s-d.com
180 JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND No.6