EUROPA XXI Vol. 35, 2018, pp. 89-109 htp://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2018.35.6 EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF EU COHESION POLICIES AIMING TO REDUCE REGIONAL AND SOCIAL DISPARITIES WITH EXAMPLES OF POLICY IMPACTS IN IRELAND Brendan Williams, Johanna Varghese School of Architecture Planning and Environmental Policy, College of Engineering and Architecture, University College Dublin. Stllorgan Rd, Belfeld, Dublin 4: Ireland brendan.williams@ucd.ie, johannavarghese@gmail.com Abstract. This research describes the evoluton of the Irish spatal planning system and explores the im- pact of EU cohesion policies aiming to reduce regional and social disparites within the European Un- ion with respect to recent developments in Ireland. The changing nature of the Irish planning system is seen as movement from a market or local development led approach towards a more strategic regional and natonal approach. This trend has in part been infuenced by EU policies, directves and initatves with evidence of both difcultes and successful delivery of some major projects. The discussion is comple- mented by evidence from two case studies in the transportaton area and interviews with key partcipants in the policy processes. In conclusion the implicatons of such trends for future planning policy in Ireland and the EU are explored. Key words: EU, Ireland, spatal planning, transport infrastructure, peripheral regions. Introducton and planning context This study assesses trends in spatal planning in Ireland, changes in territorial governance and spa- tal planning systems and reforms from 2000 to 2018 and reasons for these changes with specifc reference to EU directves and policies. In partcular, the research examines critcal regional development projects/case studies assisted by EU cohesion funding and policies. This research is intended to assist in developing a stronger relatonship between priorites and measures of EU operatonal programmes and local and regional planning policies and instruments in Ireland, includ- ing a regular ex ante, ongoing and ex post evaluatons of the territorial impact of a programme. The basis for our policy analysis and recommendatons is to improve spatal planning practce in Ire- land and Europe based on emerging evidence of best practce and to achieve a more efectve EU relatonship with spatal planning. Ideally spatal planning practce intends to become more transparent and cost-efectve maximising the social and economic benefts of investments made.