MEP Kathleen Funchion has warned that Ireland South is missing vital opportunities to develop its regional economies and communities due to an EU cohesion policy that doesn’t adequately acknowledge and reflect the unique aspects of the region. 

MEP Funchion was speaking during a recent exchange with Commissioner Elisa Ferreira of the Committee for Regional Development. 

Speaking afterwards, MEP Funchion said:

“I set out clearly to Commissioner Ferreira how we are entering a critical time for cohesion policy, and highlighted for her the critical role I hope to play in shaping it over the coming years, particularly for the benefit of Ireland South.

“It is very clear Europe still needs a cohesion policy and it needs one that is properly resourced, that works for all regions, and respects the distinctiveness of Ireland South.

“It is vital this Committee ensures its cohesion policy is not a victim of other agendas like militarisation, nor is it to fund crisis management.

“Ireland South stretches from Bray in the Dublin commuter belt, to Bere Island in West Cork, and from the Cliffs of Moher all the way across to Rosslare Harbour in Wexford – it is a sprawling constituency.

“With a population of 1.85m people, Ireland South is a mix of rural and urban dwellers, with several large towns and the cities of Cork, Limerick, Kilkenny and Waterford. It is vital Europe’s cohesion policy should acknowledge differences within regions as well as across them.

“Statistically, regions like mine are considered developed but areas such as the South East of Ireland have been left behind – a priority for me is to ensure this is where this funding is targeted. 

“As important is a prioritisation of cross border investment in Ireland, the people of the north of my country did not want to leave the EU and every effort must be made to remove obstacles to EU funding especially in cross-border work.

“I will be progressing this work and hope the Commission and Committee can support them.