Scotland in Irish Sea link boost

Links across the Irish Sea should be enhanced by the funds

Scotland has been given approval for the first time to access a £200m budget to boost cross-border links with Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The European Commission has agreed the six-year scheme under its Interreg community initiative.

The funding is to encourage closer co-operation in research, development and promoting tourism.

MEP Alyn Smith said it was particularly good news for parts of the country close to the Irish Sea.

The funding programme runs from 2007 to 2013.

It aims to encourage a more sustainable "cross-border region" across Ireland, Northern Ireland and western Scotland.

It comes after repeated political calls for closer links between the nations.

Celtic neighbours

Earlier this year the potential of building a bridge from Stranraer to Northern Ireland was even suggested by a think tank.

Mr Smith said the funding had the potential to bring all the countries closer.

"This is good news for Scotland, but especially the west," he said.

"This new programme should enable more effective and closer co-operation with our Celtic neighbours in a wide range of areas where we share common interests.

"For example, whether it be in tourism, economic development, transport, education, energy, or culture."

He said the funds would help to build on the strong historical links between the countries.

He hoped as many organisations and local authorities as possible would take full advantage of the scheme.