asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans for expenditure from the Anglo-Irish Fund on industrial and infrastructural development in Belturbet and other Border towns in Cavan and Monaghan.
Written Answers. - Anglo-Irish Fund.
48.
On behalf of the Government I signed an agreement between the Irish and the British Governments for the establishment of the International Fund for Ireland on 18 September 1986. Under Article 29 of Bunreacht na hÉireann, that agreement must be approved by the Dáil before it can come into effect. I intend to introduce a motion for that purpose early in the current session. After Dáil approval of the Agreement, the Government will make an order under the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act, 1967, giving the fund the capacity of a body corporate in Irish law.
The Agreement establishing the fund provides for an independent board as the sole, principal organ of the fund. The Government announced the names of the board members-designate jointly with the British government on 1 October 1986. The board will be formally appointed when the necessary Irish and British parliamentary procedures regarding the establishment of the fund are completed.
It is not possible for me to answer the Deputy's question directly as decisions concerning the fund's programme are a matter for its independent board. The board, as soon as it is legally established will consider applications for assistance already submitted and invite further applications.