Don’t be Misled says Nicholson - there is no new money in today’s Funding Announcement by European Commission
Ulster Unionist Member of the European Parliament Jim Nicholson MEP has said that there is no new money in the European Commission’s announcement today on future European funding for Northern Ireland.
Mr Nicholson made the claim as the European Commission announced that it has adopted three programmes involving Northern Ireland as part of EU Cohesion policy for 2007-2013.
Speaking from Brussels Mr Nicholson said,
“I want to make it absolutely clear that there is no new money in this announcement made today by the European Commission. The public should not be misled into believing that Northern Ireland has earned some massive cash bonanza from Europe.
“As I recall this is probably the fourth or fifth time in a 2 year period that an announcement has been made regarding this funding. It seems that yet again this money has been recycled, repackaged and made to appear like it is new money.
“Back in July I met with the First and Deputy First Minister where I told them they had seriously undersold Northern Ireland in Europe and that it was vital for them to visit Brussels as soon as possible. I am still waiting for that visit. In terms of investment Europe is just as important as any other region in the world.
“It is almost 6 months since devolution was restored and yet we are still waiting for the First and Deputy First Minister to work out how they are going to deal with Europe.
“Whilst I am disappointed that the European Commission and others have attempted to portray this as new money I do welcome the impact today’s announcement will have for the many groups on the ground who have been waiting for the European Commission to approve this money. Hopefully, Intermediary Funding Bodies should be able to start funding projects by the New Year.”