The European Commission is prepared to help the devolved government in the North to get on its feet as soon as possible and is open to meeting politicians involved in the process, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern has said.
Speaking in Brussels yesterday, Mr Ahern said there had been "discussions at official level" on the issue. He suggested that commission president José Manuel Barroso was open to the idea of offering EU support since Taoiseach Bertie Ahern raised the issue at a bilateral meeting last month.
"There have been some discussions with Brussels people, but they clearly indicated to the Taoiseach that it will be [ Mr Barroso's] intention to be as helpful as possible in relation to helping to get the devolved government up and running," said Mr Ahern.
"We understand he was open to the suggestion that an invitation will go to the leaders to meet with him and discuss what way the EU can be helpful," he added.
Mr Ahern indicated the main issue would be how to spend the €225 million of EU money allocated to the North and six Border counties for 2007-2013 and that it was not about trying to get more money. In place since 1995, EU funding has been used to regenerate urban areas and support peace-building projects and are seen as a means of reinforcing the political process.
The commission's chief spokesman told The Irish Times Mr Barroso was taking an interest in the issue and said it would be looked at "in a positive spirit." Citing agenda difficulties as the reason that Mr Barroso could not see Mr Ahern yesterday, he said it was time to "look at the practicalities" and "this will happen in the next days and weeks".