Title, commencement and extent

1. —(1) This Order may be cited as the North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007.

(2) This Order shall come into force on the day after the day on which it is made.

(3) This Order does not extend to England and Wales or Scotland.

Amendments to the North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999

2. —(1)The North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999( 2 ) shall be amended as follows.

(2) In Article 3 (the Agreement) at the end insert—

“ (5) In this Order “the further supplementary Agreement” means the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland constituted by the exchange of letters dated 25th July 2006, the texts of which are set out in Schedule 1B ” .

(3) In Article 14(3A)( 3 ) (the implementation body for special EU programmes), for the words from “in accordance with” to the end of the paragraph substitute—

“ in accordance with—

(a) the supplementary Agreement; and

(b) the further supplementary Agreement ” .

(4) After Schedule 1A (text of the supplementary Agreement) insert the Schedule set out in the Schedule to this Order.

Article 2(4)

SCHEDULE SCHEDULE TO BE INSERTED AS SCHEDULE 1B TO THE NORTH/SOUTH CO-OPERATION (IMPLEMENTATION BODIES) (NORTHERN IRELAND) ORDER 1999

Article 3(5)

“ SCHEDULE 1B TEXTS OF THE LETTERS EXCHANGED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND CONSTITUTING THE FURTHER SUPPLEMENTARY AGREEMENT

25 July 2006

Mr Dermot Ahern TD

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I have the honour to refer to—

• The Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland establishing Implementation Bodies done at Dublin on 8 March 1999 (hereinafter referred to as “the Implementation Bodies Agreement”); and

• The Supplementary Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland constituted by the exchange of letters dated 18 June 1999; and

• The Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland constituted by the exchange of notes dated 19 November 2002.

I have the honour to refer also to recent discussions between our two Governments concerning the interpretation of the terms “Community Initiatives”, “Initiatives” and “Cls” in Part 4 of Annex 1 and Part 4 of Annex 2 to the Implementation Bodies Agreement.

It is the understanding of my Government that it was the joint intention of our two Governments that the aforementioned terms would include any successors to, equivalents of or substitutes for such Initiatives within or building on the substantive objectives, priorities, policy areas and activities covered by the Community Initiatives established within the framework of the European Community’s Structural Funds and should be construed accordingly.

If this is also the understanding of your Government, I have the honour to propose that this letter and your reply in the affirmative shall constitute an Agreement between our two Governments concerning the interpretation of these terms which shall enter into force on the date of your reply.

Rt Hon Peter Hain MP

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

25 July 2006

Rt Hon Peter Hain MP

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I have the honour to refer to your letter of 25 July 2006 concerning the interpretation of certain terms contained in the Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland establishing Implementation Bodies done at Dublin on 8 March 1999.

I have the honour to confirm that it is the understanding of my Government that it was the joint intention of our two Governments for the terms as specified in your letter to include any successors to, equivalents of or substitutes for such Initiatives within or building on the substantive objectives, priorities, policy areas and activities covered by the Community Initiatives established within the framework of the European Community’s Structural Funds and should be construed accordingly.

I have the honour to confirm, therefore, that this letter and your letter shall constitute an Agreement between our two Governments which will come into force today.

Mr Dermot Ahern TD

Minister for Foreign Affairs ”