James Nicholson (ECR), in writing. - Although the UK Government has decided not to opt in to the Internal Security Fund on police cooperation, I supported the report for a number of reasons particular to my constituency. The programme commits EUR[nbsp ]1 billion in spending on police cooperation, preventing and combating crime, and crisis management for the 2014-2020 period. Combating cross-border crime has been a significant challenge for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and An Garda Síochána in the Republic of Ireland. Putting history aside, both police authorities have increased their levels of cooperation significantly in recent years to combat the threat of dissident republican terrorism. Any EU assistance to improve and fund this great work should be warmly welcomed. I am also particularly pleased to see that the financial instrument includes measures for the protection and support of witnesses and victims of crime and of terrorism. In Northern Ireland, we have singularly failed the victims of terrorism during our conflict, and I consider it our prerogative to ensure their needs and concerns are adequately catered for. I would not claim the Internal Security Fund to be a panacea, but I am pleased to see EU recognition of the needs of victims of terrorism.