asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the publication of a White Paper on regional planning designed to ensure the effective co-ordination of the regional aspects of national policies on industrial development, physical planning arrangements, investment policy, tourist development and transport and which will ensure balanced regional development North and South.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Regional Planning.
17.
A new dimension has been given to regional policy in Ireland by the agreement of the Paris Summit that a high priority should be given to the aim of correcting, in the Community, the structural and regional imbalances which might affect the realisation of economic and monetary union, and by the Summit's decision that certain Community measures should be taken in the field of regional policy, including the setting up, before the end of this year, of a Regional Development Fund. The Commission has now presented the report analysing the regional problems arising in the enlarged Community, which it was invited to prepare by the Summit. The Commission intends to present formal proposals for the development of Community regional policy before the end of June in order to allow the Council to take decisions before the end of the year.
It is expected, therefore, that the context within which Ireland's regional policy is planned and implemented will change considerably in the coming months. At this stage we cannot predict what the eventual framework will be since it will depend on decisions yet to be taken at Community level. For this reason I do not think the time is opportune for the publication of a White Paper on Regional Planning on the lines suggested by the Deputy.
The Government will, of course, keep under review all aspects of regional policy, including the arrangements for co-ordinating activities in various sectors, in order to ensure, inter alia, that the maximum benefit will be derived from Community policy.
Will the Minister ensure that local authorities and other development organisations in areas contiguous to the north-east Border will be kept fully informed and also consulted on any developments which may take place?
As the Deputy knows, this Government believes in Government by consultation and he may be assured there will be the fullest possible consultation and co-operation with the local authorities concerned. We are also anxious to ensure that within any community regional policy the greatest possible flexibility is left to each national government—in this case, our own—so that particular advantage can be given within our own domain to those regions which need it most.
That is not an answer to my question. It answers the general question. I asked specifically if the Minister and the Government would ensure that local organisations and local authorities would be consulted and advised and if he would indicate how this would be done or how the Government would intend doing this?
I did answer the question. I was asked if consultation would take place and I said "Yes". One consults by communicating with, talking with, writing to and meeting people. That is the way we believe the country should be run and that is what we will do. If the Deputy wants any further explanation as to how you communicate with human beings I will endeavour to help him.