Addressing the annual conference of the Institute for British-Irish Studies at University College Dublin on 26 May, The Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny TD, paid tribute to the work of the International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) and the Centre for Cross Border Studies (CCBS)  in supporting cross-border initiatives by local authorities in the border region.
Mr. Kenny said: ‘In the European context, the new Government will continue to pursue and engage in initiatives with the Northern Ireland Executive on EU issues where it makes sense to do so. We have clear shared interests in areas such as research funding, regional development policy and the future of the common agricultural policy.
And at a local level, we should try to emulate in other border areas the <a href="../../web/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Newry-Louth-Strategic-Alliance-Report-ICLRD-final.pdf" target="_blank">recent groundbreaking initiatives</a> between Newry and Mourne District Council and the Louth local authorities.
I would like to acknowledge today the important role played by the International Centre for Local and Regional Development and the Centre for Cross Border Studies in that process, as well as their pivotal roles in engaging with other councils to promote practical cooperation along the border.’
See the <strong><a href="../../web/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IBIS_Speech_by_Taoiseach_260511.pdf" target="_blank">speech</a></strong>.