Cross-border interaction between local communities in the European Union has enormous potential. I believe that a national strategy to promote and resource such contact is required. As a member of the Holyhead Dún Laoghaire Link Organisation, I have worked hard to bring Irish and Welsh communities, sports organisations and businesses together in partnership for mutual benefit. In this regard, I have collaborated with
Mr. Albert Owen, MP for Anglesey, members of the
Welsh Assembly, Anglesey County Councillors and Holyhead Town Councillors. This included organising fact finding trips for the Welsh delegation to Dublin, Belfast and
Newry & Mourne District Council. I have also cooperated on
INTERREG Projects and planning joint initiatives. I strongly believe that the regions of Europe have much in common and much more to learn from each other. Highlighting these initiatives will be a priority. Recently, I have been appointed as the County Council Liaison Officer for the
Dún Laoghaire Holyhead Link Organisation which seeks to bring together community groups, sports organisations, clubs, educational institutions and businesses from North Wales and the Greater Dublin Region. Meetings have also been held with delegations from South West Wales and South East Ireland to exchange views and to share experiences on regional development initiatives. Recently a new and exciting proposal on the future development of the Link was presented to delegates at a meeting held in Caergybi (
Holyhead). The discussion document involves the proposal to develop links between the various Local Authorities bordering the Irish Sea and the development of this shared resource -
"Mare Nostrum" (
our sea) - including tourism and marine leisure etc.
"The Ring of the Isles" proposal (
see below) would link communities in
Ireland (Counties
Wicklow, Dublin, Meath and Louth),
Northern Ireland (Counties
Down and south Antrim), southwestern
Scotland, northwestern
England and
North Wales. It is also proposed to include
Ellan Vannin (
Isle of Man). The restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland and the successful operation of the various parts of the
Belfast Agreement of 1998, including the
British-Irish Council, actively encourages such initiatives.
A copy of the Link proposal, a version of which was first presented in early 2004, can be viewed under "LINKS TO ARTICLES & FURTHER INFORMATION" at the foot of this Blog.
Cross-border interaction between local communities in the European Union has enormous potential. I believe that a national strategy to promote and resource such contact is required. As a member of the Holyhead Dún Laoghaire Link Organisation, I have worked hard to bring Irish and Welsh communities, sports organisations and businesses together in partnership for mutual benefit. In this regard, I have collaborated with Mr. Albert Owen, MP for Anglesey, members of the Welsh Assembly, Anglesey County Councillors and Holyhead Town Councillors. This included organising fact finding trips for the Welsh delegation to Dublin, Belfast and Newry & Mourne District Council. I have also cooperated on INTERREG Projects and planning joint initiatives. I strongly believe that the regions of Europe have much in common and much more to learn from each other. Highlighting these initiatives will be a priority. Recently, I have been appointed as the County Council Liaison Officer for the Dún Laoghaire Holyhead Link Organisation which seeks to bring together community groups, sports organisations, clubs, educational institutions and businesses from North Wales and the Greater Dublin Region. Meetings have also been held with delegations from South West Wales and South East Ireland to exchange views and to share experiences on regional development initiatives. Recently a new and exciting proposal on the future development of the Link was presented to delegates at a meeting held in Caergybi (Holyhead). The discussion document involves the proposal to develop links between the various Local Authorities bordering the Irish Sea and the development of this shared resource - "Mare Nostrum" (our sea) - including tourism and marine leisure etc. "The Ring of the Isles" proposal (see below) would link communities in
Ireland (Counties Wicklow, Dublin, Meath and Louth), Northern Ireland (Counties Down and south Antrim), southwestern Scotland, northwestern England and North Wales. It is also proposed to include Ellan Vannin (Isle of Man). The restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland and the successful operation of the various parts of the Belfast Agreement of 1998, including the British-Irish Council, actively encourages such initiatives. A copy of the Link proposal, a version of which was first presented in early 2004, can be viewed under "LINKS TO ARTICLES & FURTHER INFORMATION" at the foot of this Blog.
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