South-East Regional Authority

The South-East Regional Authority is one of the eight regional authorities established in Ireland under the provisions of the "Local Government Act 1991, (Regional Authorities) (Establishment) Order", 1993.

Membership of the Authority comprises 36 elected public representatives nominated by the six constituent Local Authorities within the Region: Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford City, Waterford County, and Wexford. The main function of the Regional Authority is:
* to promote co-ordination and, where appropriate, co-operation , joint action , joint arrangements, agreements, communication or consultation between local authorities or other public authorities in the region or between such authorities of other regions.
* to promote co-ordination, consistency and compatibility with programmes, plans policies, proposals or objectives of the Government or any Minister of the Government.

Committees

In carrying out its duties the Authority is assisted by two committees, the Operational Committee and the EU Operational Committee. The Operational Committee’s function is to assist and advise the Authority in the discharge of its functions. Membership is drawn from senior management from Local Authorities and other public service agencies in the region. The EU Operational Committee assists the Authority in matters relating to EU assistance and the monitoring of various EU Operational Programmes applicable in the Region.

Regional Priorities

Despite having a strong base of indigenous industries and a vibrant overseas industry, concentrated mainly in electronics, precision engineering, pharmaceuticals and healthcare and internationally traded services, employment growth in the region has slowed in recent years and existing deficiencies in the region’s infrastructure, in particular, transport infrastructure, are impacting negatively on the regions competitiveness. To help boost the regions economy the following key priorities have been identified:
* the development of third-level facilities and courses within the region and the establishment of a University of the South-East
* improved linkages between industry and third-level educational institutions
* strengthening of the indigenous industrial sector by promoting opportunities for increased levels of Research and Development
* improved road and rail infrastructure
* promotion of the development of the regional airport
* promotion of innovative public transport systems aimed at improving rural mobility
* development of the region’s retail sector and reduce leakage of retail spending to urban centres outside the region
* expansion of the regions tourism sector through the development of visitor attractions with a strong national profile linked to the high quality amenities of the region
* support for rural development and the competitiveness of the regions agricultural sector in order to address the ongoing decline in agricultural employment
* support the region’s fishing industry and to develop the potential for marine tourism along the South East’s 434 km (271 miles) of coastline.
* development of the regions three major ports, which provide an important opportunity to boost the regions economy.

European Priorities

In the South East Region EU projects have enabled the development of representative and inclusive regional and transnational partnerships and cooperation, inclusiveness and participation of actors in a wide range of sectors. EU projects have promoted coordination between the relevant actors enabling them to work towards the same objectives.

The South East Regional Authority is involved in a wide variety of projects across all sectors and areas and is always interested in getting involved in new and innovative projects. Specific priorities for the future include projects and initiatives which can contribute to addressing the above regional priorities as well as those in the areas of information society, entrepreneurship and employment, and regional innovation.

European Experience

The South East Regional Authority has considerable experience in participating in and managing EU co-funded projects. Some of the EU co-funded projects in which the South East has been involved in the past 3 years include:
* SEEDS - funded under Article 6 ESF (Local employment strategies and innovation) and due to be completed in January 2005. The objective of the project is to develop a coherent, integrated and co-ordinated employment development strategy for the South-East Region. The overall budget for the project is circa €420,000.
* Biologic@ - funded under the INTERREG IIIC. The project commenced in January 2005 and aims to promote best practice in organic farming and to access new channels of distribution for organic produce. The lead partner is based in P?voa de Lanhoso, Portugal and regions from Italy, the Canaries, and Switzerland are also participating in the project.
* FINESTRA - Funded through Article 10 ERDF. The objective was to explore and promote innovative ways of assisting SMEs to maximise their potential to impact on regional socio-economic development. Regions from 6 EU countries participated. The overall budget for the project was circa €3 million.
* E-BYGOV - Funded through Interreg IIIB Atlantic Area. The objective is to examine how modern communications technology can be used to make government services more responsive, easier to use and more accessible to citizens and businesses. Regions in Spain, United Kingdom and Ireland are participating. The overall budget for the project is circa €2.5 million

Other projects include (Research and Technological Development), REVOS (social and voluntary sector) and Sport Urban (sport and urban regeneration).

Members

*Cllr. Des Hurley (LAB)
*Cllr. P.J. Kavanagh (FF)
*Cllr. Tom Kinsella (FG)
*Cllr. Arthur McDonald (FF)
*Cllr. William Paton (LAB)
*Cllr. Tomás Breathnach (LAB)
*Cllr. John Brennan (FG)
*Cllr. Pat Fitzpatrick (FF)
*Cllr. Cora Long (FF)
*Cllr. Tom Maher (FG)
*Cllr. Catherine Phelan (FG)
*Cllr. Michael Anglim (FF)
*Cllr. Jack Crowe (FG)
*Cllr. Michael Fitzgerald (FG)
*Cllr. Denis Landy (LAB)
*Cllr. Michael Maguire (FF)
*Cllr. Pat Norris (FF)
*Cllr. Seán Nyhan (FG)
*Cllr. Mary O'Halloran (FG)
*Cllr. Laurence O'Neill (NP)
*Cllr. Mary Roche (NP)
*Cllr. Séamus Ryan (LAB)
*Cllr. David Walsh (WP)
*Cllr. Liam Brazil (FG)
*Cllr. Paudie Coffey (FG)
*Cllr. Damien Geoghegan (FG)
*Cllr. Paddy O'Callaghan (LAB)
*Cllr. James Tobin (FF)
*Cllr. Teresa Wright (LAB)
*Cllr. Lorcan Allen (FF)
*Cllr. Pat Codd (FG)
*Cllr. Seán Connick (FF)
*Cllr. Michael D'Arcy (FG)
*Cllr. Seán Doyle (NP)
*Cllr. Ted Howlin (LAB)
*Cllr. Declan McPartlin (NP)

ee also

*Dublin Regional Authority
*Mid-West Regional Authority
*Border Regional Authority
*Midlands Regional Authority
*West Regional Authority
*South-West Regional Authority
*Regional Authorities in Ireland
*Regional Assemblies in Ireland

External links

* [http://www.sera.ie South-East Regional Authority]