asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that is being made to have the drainage of (a) the Erne catchment area, (b) the Ulster Blackwater catchment area, and (c) the Fane catchment area accepted as cross-Border projects to qualify for EEC Regional Aid.
Written Answers. - Cross-Border Co-operation.
298.
In the course of the meeting which the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs had with the British Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in London on 28th September both sides agreed that "it would be of mutual advantage to improve practical co-operation between the Republic and the United Kingdom on economic matters. Officials of the two Governments, would, therefore, meet in the near future to review the arrangements and opportunities for economic co-operation with particular reference to Northern Ireland. They would review current and proposed cross-Border studies and identify subjects and areas for further examination, with EEC assistance where appropriate".
As part of the follow-up to that meeting, meetings of officials of the two sides have been arranged to examine various aspects of economic co-operation. It is intended that this examination of possible areas of North-South co-operation should include the river catchment areas referred to in the Deputy's question, with a view to establishing the scope for joint action, including, where appropriate joint approaches to the European Communities.