www.inp.ie

In October 2000, the Taoiseach of Ireland announced the establishment of the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership (INP). The INP was formally inaugurated on April 24, 2001. Its mandate is to follow through on the commitments of the memorandum, specifically, to explore the possibilities of mutually advantageous cooperation through business, industry, educational and cultural activities.

An annual budget of 312,000 Irish pounds (approximately $500,000) has been allocated to cover administrative costs and to pursue joint initiatives between Ireland and Newfoundland and Labrador.

A 15-member Board of Directors is chaired by the Minister of State for Trade and Commerce, Michael Ahern. Day-to-day activities are coordinated by a full-time Director, Ms. Agnes Aylward and support is provided by her Assistant Director, Andrea Thompson, and international interns from Newfoundland and Labrador.

In December 2001, the INP announced the establishment of an Educational Bursary scheme to fund Third Level Institutes and Research Bodies in Ireland to develop projects in cooperation with reciprocal institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador. Fifteen bursaries, totaling $250,000 were announced in the areas of marine research and engineering; information and communications technology; business development; tourism and cultural development; and history and folklore.

In July 2002, The INP announced the establishment of a Cultural Grant scheme to provide grants to Irish organizations to fund innovative initiatives arising from the interaction of Ireland and Newfoundland and Labrador cultures. Eighteen grants, totaling $210,000 were announced.

Ireland Newfoundland Partnership Board Members

• Chairman: Mr. Michael Ahern, TD
  Minister for Trade and Commerce
   

• Deputy Chairman: Mr. Walter Kirwan
  Former Assistant Secretary, Department of the Taoiseach
   

• Mr. Seamus O'Morain, Assistant Secretary
  Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
   

• Ms. Una Murphy, Lecturer
  Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology
   

• Dr. Peter Heffernan, Managing Director
  Marine Institute
   

• Mr. Tom Hyland, Consultant, Hyland & Associates
  Chairman, Arramara Teo
   

• Mr. Kevin McGowan, Managing Director
  Xwave, Dublin
   

• Mr. Fred Klinkenberg, Market Manager, Canada
  Enterprise Ireland
   

• Mr. Patrick Murphy, Arts Consultant
  O.P.W.
   

• Ms. Caroline Senior, Director
  Garter Lane Arts Centre
   

• Mr. Michael Delaney, Head of Development
  Cork Institute of Technology
   

• Mr. Conn Murray
  Waterford City Manager
   

• Professor Kieran Byrne, Director
  Waterford Institute of Technology
  

• Mr. Peadar McArdle, Director
  Geological Survey of Ireland
   

                                              Last updated: September 9, 2008