Minister of the Environment, Dermot Nesbitt has encouraged a continuing good working relationship between the Republic’s Local Authorities Members Association (LAMA) and Northern Ireland’s National Association of Councillors.

Mr Nesbitt made the call when delivering the keynote address at LAMA’s Annual Conference in Tralee. Several hundred delegates from north and south of the border attended the Conference while members of the Confederation of European Councillors from Slovakia were also present.

Mr Nesbitt said: “I commend the close working relationship between local councillors on the island of Ireland. Good neighbourliness can be a positive thing. In this case, it has lead to the establishment of a Confederation of European Councillors, which was set up jointly by councillors on both sides of the border to promote their contacts abroad. Through good networking in Europe, we can bring many benefits to the island as a whole.

“The cross border dimension also plays a vital role in improving the environment for us all. For example, the Departments of the Environment, north and south, have put in place a programme to enhance co-operation in such areas as environmental research; environmental protection; water quality; and waste management operations. Councils at the local level will have a vital role to play in ensuring that this programme of work is a success.

“This is particularly true in the case of waste management. Critical to success is the development of viable markets for recycled materials and goods. This has been the major limiting factor in previous recycling efforts. The bigger the market, the greater the prospects of success.

“The North/South Ministerial Council is considering a joint Market Development Programme to establish markets on an all island basis and to look further outward, as well, to Great Britain. All island solutions may also be the answer to deal with waste domestic fridges and freezers."

LAMA represents all councillors’ interests in the Republic of Ireland and the NAC carries out a similar role in Northern Ireland.

Both organisations launched a Joint Yearbook and Diary in January 2002. In 2001, LAMA and NAC formed the Confederation of European Councillors. Since then the Confederation has expanded to included membership of local government association in Slovakia and Belgium.

(MB)