Write a commentA new and unique cross-border group has been launched in the Carrickdale Hotel on 11th December by Newry and Mourne District Council and Louth County Council with funding support from the SEUPB’s Peace III Programme.
The panel contains forty people selected from both sides of the border following a public application process.
John McArdle, Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council, speaking at the launch said “I am delighted as Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council to be here this evening with you all at the launch of the joint People’s Panel between Newry and Mourne District Council and Louth Local Authorities.
This exciting initiative has emanated from the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding last year between Newry and Mourne District Council and Louth Local Authorities and we are delighted to be working in partnership with Louth on this project.
This joint initiative offers a great opportunity to work together, to listen to you our citizens and to seek your opinions on our services and facilities. It will also offer you, the members of the People’s Panel, the chance to raise matters of concern to both Newry and Mourne District Council and Louth Authorities. The outworking of the People’s Panel will play an important role in the development of public services in Newry and Mourne and Louth.
I congratulate everyone involved and I thank Peace 111 under the Special EU Programmes Body for providing funding to undertake this project. I wish this initiative every success and I look forward to the hearing about the outcomes from the Panel.”
Councillor Finnan McCoy, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council added “My council is very pleased to be partnering Newry and Mourne Council in this exciting venture. It will be very much a learning experience for everyone but having looked at the people who have put themselves forward I am satisfied that we have a very representative group from every perspective – community background, gender and race. I think this blend of experience and expertise will be the critical success factor which will make this panel really effective. I too want to acknowledge the support provided by the Peace III Programme and to acknowledge the work put into bringing the project to this stage by the officials from both Councils and by staff from Peace III.”
The Chair of the PEACE III Southern Partnership said “ The Partnership is delighted to be a partner in this project which will promote cross-community and cross-border contact and partnership working and will lead to enhanced relationships between communities, Councils and other statutory agencies. And all while providing a vehicle for participatory democracy. I wish you all well for the project and I’m looking forward to hearing about the progress you make.”
Prior to the official launch the members of the panel had participated in an induction session facilitated by Frank Dolaghan of Mentor Economic Developments Limited who has been appointed as the panel facilitator.
