Irish government to fund flights between Dublin and Derry as it commits €1 billion to Shared Island initiative

By Jonathan McCambridge (PA)

Funding for 10 new cross-border projects has been announced by the Irish Government through its Shared Island programme.

More than 50 million euro will be committed for the schemes which include a new Dublin to Londonderry air service to start next year.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the projects would “improve people’s lives and strengthen connections across the island of Ireland”.

The projects announced following a meeting of the Irish Cabinet on Tuesday are:

– 14 million euro for a new media initiative taken forward by Coimisiun na Mean.

– 5.9 million euro to develop cross-border emergency management capacity on flood response and technical rescue operations.

– 6 million euro for a new programme to engage with communities and the diaspora on the island’s heritage and culture.

– 14.5 million euro for an expanded Creative Ireland-Shared Island programme and for arts projects.

– 2 million euro to enable a new Dublin-Derry public service obligation air service to start in 2026.

– 2 million euro for a new greenways development fund.

– 6.4 million euro for a cross-border pilot regional cooperation programme on tackling Bovine TB.

– 2.3 million euro for commercialising research.

– 1.8 million euro to the All-Ireland pollinator plan.

– 1 million euro for the cross-border Partnership for Employment Services.

Mr Martin said: “A new Shared Island media programme will be launched next year to support sustained cross-border journalism and more programming content so that we can all know and understand more of what is happening and why it matters, north and south, not just at times of crisis, but every day.

“Fire and emergency services from north and south will deepen their co-operation to enhance capacity and training on management of flooding events and on technical search and rescue operations, building on our proud tradition of mutual support, and acting on the crucial need to plan for and respond to major emergencies together on this island.”

He added: “We are also establishing a new air link between Dublin and Derry, resourcing an expanded Creative Ireland-Shared Island programme and arts projects, supporting development of new cross-border greenways, and deepening co-operation in a number of areas with the Northern Ireland Executive.

“The Government has also today set out our Shared Island investment priorities across all sectors as part of the reviewed National Development Plan, backed by our total 2 billion euro commitment to the Shared Island Fund out to 2035.

“This is the Shared Island Initiative in action – working with ambition to establish greater connectivity, deepen co-operation and strengthen island-wide community understanding – to create a shared future together.”

Tanaiste Simon Harris said: “This investment further demonstrates our commitment to building a prosperous and more equal shared island for all.

“The funding announced today will ensure better outcomes for people in their daily lives, connecting people and places, co-ordinating emergency responses, protecting people’s livelihoods, enhancing people’s health and well-being, protecting our nature habitats and environment, and more.”

A government funded airlink between City of Derry Airport and Dublin 'will be delivered in 2026', the Irish Minister for Public Expenditure has said. (Liam McBurney/PA)