Overview

The Northern Ireland Taskforce, or Barroso Taskforce, was established by European Commission President Barroso in 2007 to support Northern Ireland in its efforts to improve its economic competitiveness and to create sustainable employment. The Taskforce, consists of representatives of the European Commission working with officials from the Northern Ireland Executive to strengthen Northern Ireland's engagement in European affairs. The work of the Taskforce is informed and guided by its 2008 report. In response, the Northern Ireland Executive produced an Action Plan and established an inter-departmental Taskforce Working Group (Barroso Taskforce Working Group) to implement the Commission's suggestions and recommendations. It is clear that the Taskforce in Brussels and the Taskforce Working Group in Northern Ireland have stimulated a marked increase in engagement in European affairs by Executive departments. Regarding the initiative in Northern Ireland, it is clear that the Taskforce Working Group in particular has proved to be a catalyst for increased focus from all Executive departments on EU matters. The Committee is strongly of the view that it is vital that at this juncture the expertise, experience and networks established through the Taskforce and Taskforce Working Group are not lost as a result of changes at the European Commission. While the Committee welcomes any review which seeks improvement, the Committee recommends that the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister continues to sustain an inter-departmental forum to support such a cohesive and coherent approach to European engagement across the Executive

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