EU grants £37m to promote Irish-Welsh links

The European Commission today agreed a £37 million grant to promote "cross-border co-operation" across the Irish Sea between …

The European Commission today agreed a £37 million grant to promote "cross-border co-operation" across the Irish Sea between Ireland and Wales.

The money will go towards a £50 million six-year project to develop regional economies, the environment and culture in an area covering Dublin, mid east and south east Ireland, and Gwynedd, the Isle of Anglesey, south west Wales and parts of Conwy.

The balance of the financing comes from national and regional budgets.

The geographical spread of the scheme covers a population of 2.4 million people living close to the main sea route between Ireland and Wales, and main access points for Irish goods to British and European markets - 1.8 million people on the Irish side and 0.6 million on the Welsh side.