asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a Government decision on implementing proposals in the report submitted by the Economic and Social Committee of the European Communities will be made.
6.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Economic and Social Committee Report.
5.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he proposes to commence implementing the recommendations contained in the recent report of the EEC Economic and Social Committee which identified the under-development of agriculture in the Border region.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
Unlike previous cross-Border studies which were commissioned by the Irish and British Governments, the report to which the Deputy refers was initiated by the Economic and Social Committee itself.
Both the Irish and British Governments were presented with copies of the report by the section for regional development of the Economic and Social Committee. As the Deputy is aware, the Government welcome the interest shown by the committee in the Border region and in particular welcome the attempt to ascertain what can be done to alleviate particular obstacles to economic development arising out of the existence of the Border. I have brought the report to the attention of the relevant Government Departments so as to ensure that the proposals made by the committee are thoroughly examined. The Government favour implementation of as many of the proposals as is practicable taking current financial circumstances fully into account. While the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report is a matter for individual Government Departments, as Minister for Foreign Affairs I am responsible for co-ordinating an overall approach to the report.
Would the Minister agree that this is the third report carried out on the Border region with EEC aid? We as members of Border committees have received an assurance from an Irish member of the Social and Economic Committee that he will ensure at EEC level that the proposals get urgent consideration, provided the Government approve them and send them to the EEC. Would the Minister not agree that it is a serious matter that the proposals are being sent to Government Departments for their views rather than being examined by the Minister's Department and put before the Government?
I have overall responsibility for co-ordination but each Department must give their views. My reply states:
I have brought the report to the attention of the relevant Government Departments so as to ensure that the proposals made by the committee are thoroughly examined. The Government favour implementation of as many of the proposals as is practicable taking current financial circumstances fully into account.
The implementation of the recommendations is a matter for individual Government Departments but of course the Government will have an overall view.
Would the Minister not agree that there would have to be consultation with the Northern Ireland authorities since the second question relates to agriculture? Many of the recommendations in the report were novel and innovative, such as those concerning farm equipment schemes and poultry demonstration units. There would have to be very intensive co-operation and discussion with the Northern authorities which I would ask the Minister to initiate.
I agree that we would have to have very close co-operation with the Northern Ireland Office. It is a cross-Border study and benefits would accrue only if the report were implemented taking both sides into account. Each side would benefit more by this approach than by the adoption of the proposals only on one side of the Border.
Would the Minister not agree that it is necessary to consult with the regional development organisations in the Border area who have already submitted recommendations to various Departments for the development of these regions? Would he not agree that it is necessary in the light of this report to initiate consultation between his Department and the regional development organisations?
I would prefer to find out the views of individual Departments before ascertaining the views of a subsidiary unit of one Department. The regional development organisations are subsidiary to the Department of the Environment. That would be a reasonable course.
There is chronic unemployment in the area, particularly in the Derry-Strabane region where it has been emphasised that an industrial zone should be set up. Information on this matter has been given to the Minister by eminent people from the North. Has the Minister any information from the IDA or other State agencies that a move is being made to set up some of the necessary structures?
The next question relates to an industrial zone. I would point out that there is a price tag on all these proposals and I have stated that current financial circumstances must be taken fully into account. It is not a question of issuing an open cheque so that all these things could be implemented this year.
There seems to be a lack of co-ordination between Government Departments. Would the Minister agree that a junior Minister should be appointed to operate these schemes or else that a Smurfit-type approach should be adopted entirely outside a Government Department?
The allocation of responsibilities to Ministers is not a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs but rather for the Taoiseach. I do not accept that there has been a lack of co-ordination. There has been fairly general acceptance by all Government Departments of the necessity to do something in the Border region but the speed and the priority of implementation of the proposals are other matters.