asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that NERDO submitted its regional strategy report and action programme to his Department in November 1985; when his Department proposes to respond to NERDO; if he will agree that this report will act as a very useful programme of important development required for the Border area; if his Department will use this report when any proposed international aid funds are being considered under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Regional Strategy Report.
8.
Yes, a copy of the North-Eastern Regional Development Organisation's regional strategy report and action programme has been received in my Department. I can also confirm that my Department have been in communication both by letter and phone with NERDO officials concerning these documents. I agree with the sentiments expressed in the Deputy's question as to the value of the report in development and planning in the north-eastern Border area. I wish to reassure the Deputy that the report's findings will be taken fully into account in considering the utilisation of the international assistance when it becomes available.
Does the Minister accept that the problems of the constituency of Louth in relation to employment could largely be due to the problems of Northern Ireland? Does he also accept that serious consideration should be given by his Department under the Anglo-Irish Agreement for the distribution to County Louth and the Border areas of a large part of the $250 million allocated by the US Senate?
I accept that County Louth has been badly affected over the last 18 years. However, my Department will not be distributing the funds. Although a final decision has not been reached, a board of trustees will probably be set up to oversee, in conjunction with the Irish and British Governments, the spending of this money and they will take into account the points made by Deputy Bell in choosing from the very large volume of applications for expenditure under the fund which have been received.
Does the Minister agree that the NERDO report represents the agreed views of the local authorities in the Border region, including County Louth? This would be an ideal vehicle, as well as the reports of the cross-Border committees which operate in the counties of Louth, Monaghan and Cavan, upon which to work.
I agree that it is an extremely good, well documented and authoritative report and it will certainly be taken into consideration.
Deputy Wilson rose.
The answer to Deputy Wilson's question is yes.
Would the Minister also, when looking at the Louth area, let his eyes wander in a westerly direction and take into account the other counties on the Border which have suffered? As well as the cross-Border reports mentioned by Deputy Bell, would the Minister also take into account the Economic and Social Committee report from the EC Committee as well as areas that have been deiberately deindustrialised in the Six Counties?
As I said to Deputy Wilson before he asked the question, the answer is yes. However, I must repeat what I said to Deputy Bell, that it will not be a decision for my Department — although nothing has been finalised in this regard — and the most probable vehicle for deciding on the spending of this money will be a board of trustees who, I am certain, will take all these matters into account.
Is the Minister aware that there is serious disquiet at the response of the Minister for Finance to our request for a meeting——
That has nothing to do with this Minister.
The Minister said that he did not have enough information regarding our area and he threw cold water on the proposals which we had made to NERDO. Would the Minister for Foreign Affairs take a more sympathetic view in this regard?
The implication in Deputy Leonard's question is that the Minister for Finance was unsympathetic and had no feeling for the people of Cavan, Louth, Monaghan, Donegal and Sligo but I know that the reverse is true.
I should like the Minister to reassure me that county councils and local authorities in the Border region will be in a position to make a submission to his Department or to the committee who will deal with the matter because, as Deputy Leonard said, it is clear that several Government Departments have not responded. I ask the Minister to ensure that the widest possible representations are received from the Border areas.
I did not think it would be necessary for me to ask anyone to make submissions where the spending of money is involved. However, like Homer nodding, I will try to spot gaps in the representations and to fill them.