Tánaiste Simon Harris and Taoiseach Micheál Martin will ask the Cabinet for permission to spend over €50 million on cross-border initiatives, reports RTE.
Up to 2035, the government has promised to provide an additional €1 billion to the Shared Island Fund.
The fund allotted about €510.4 million between 2020 and 2024.
Five additional projects will now get up to €57 million, reports RTE.
A tourist ‘Shared Destination’ project worth €23 million, a €20 million commitment for arts, cultural, and historical projects, €4 million for the next stage of the Shared Island Civic Society Fund, and €10 million for a new nature restoration program are among them.
Existing routes north and south of the border will be connected by a €6 million investment in the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark in Cavan and Fermanagh, reports RTE.
In addition, 73km of interconnected cross-border trails will be developed around Sliabh Beagh Mountain along the border, and an additional €6 million will be used to build a network of trails and water access sites throughout the Carlingford Lough region.
While the Tánaiste advances the second phase of the Shared Island Civic Society Fund, Arts Minister Patrick O’Donovan will also supervise a new €10 million Shared Island Cultural Fund to foster collaboration on the island, reports RTE.
The program helps community organisations and civil society groups to improve cross-border ties.
There will be a €10 million fund available for wetland rehabilitation.
In a separate meeting, Mr. Harris will update the Cabinet on the significant preparations being made for Ireland’s second-half EU presidency, reports RTE.
The Tánaiste will inform the Cabinet that Ireland will have the chance to influence the EU agenda and showcase the nation on the international scene during a period of significant geopolitical shift, with fewer than 500 days till the start of Ireland’s EU presidency.
The Tánaiste will inform ministers that the Union’s agenda and Ireland’s standing, reputation, and influence in the EU depend on the country’s ability to hold the presidency, reports RTE.
In addition, he will request ministers to accept Ireland’s offer to host a summit of the European Political Community (EPC) during its presidency next year. The EPC is an intergovernmental forum for political and strategic discussions about the future of Europe that was established following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Up to 47 heads of state and government from all across the European continent will travel to Ireland for the summit next year. If accepted, it will coincide with an informal gathering of the European Council that includes the 27 leaders of state and government of the EU, reports RTE.
Ministers will be informed that Ireland will now increase its involvement at all levels with EU institutions and member states, and that substantial preparations will be needed across all government departments for the presidency.
In the upcoming months, ministers will be urged to attend sessions of the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg, reports RTE.
Ireland will serve as president from July 1, 2026, until December 31, 2026.
The nation will hold the president for the ninth time, and for the first time since 2013.
The Cabinet will be informed that efforts are already underway to determine the sites and settings for Ireland’s presidential sessions, reports RTE.
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