asked the Minister for Finance if he proposes to make a case to the Commissioner of Regional Funds for the inclusion of arterial drainage as a project qualifying for assistance from the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Arterial Drainage.
167.
Such a request has already been made.
There are wide differences of opinion as between member States as to what categories of infrastructural investment should be eligible for assistance from the European Regional Development Fund. Accordingly, last October, the EEC Regional Policy Committee set up an ad hoc working party with the task of proposing guidelines to facilitate the identification and assessment of infrastructure investment projects. The working party have not yet completed their deliberations and are unlikely to do so for some time yet. In the circumstances, I am unable to say at this stage if arterial drainage schemes will be eligible for fund assistance.