Cross-border cooperation in Ireland, its legal framework and Europe: a third party view

Abstract

Main concern of this paper is the legal framework of cross-border cooperation between the Republic of Ireland and Norther Ireland in the wider context of European law of cross-border relations. In particular, it will devote special attention to the connections between the Irish cross-border relations and EU law, especially structural funds law. Their role in developing such relations in Ireland has been quite peculiar. Moreover, EU structural funds regulations 2007-2013 stress the importance of the cross-border issue and upgrade it to one of the three objectives of the mainstream, doubling its resources.