asked the Minister for Finance the reason County Louth has been dropped as a Border county and classified as a midland county for EC classification.
28.
Written Answers. - EC Classification.
19.
asked the Minister for Finance is respect of the seven regions that have been established by his Department for the purposes of making application to the EC within the framework of the enlarged Structural Funds, the reason the boundaries of the seven regions were chosen; the precise steps he proposes to take to ensure the full participation of the elected representatives at local level in the preparation of integrated programmes for the purposes of qualifying for EC financial assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
46.
asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the substantial opposition to the proposal to designate County Louth as a non-Border county for the purposes of reform of the EC Structural Funds; if he will review the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
54.
asked the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied himself regarding the consultative procedures that have been announced for the establishment of regional plans and projects for submission to the EC.
69.
asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of its geographic location adjoining the Border and the serious and special problems arising therefrom, he will include County Louth in the Border region for the purpose of receiving aid from the enhanced structural fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 28, 46, 54 and 69 together.
I have already outlined fully in my written reply on 25 October 1988 to previous questions from Deputies on this issue the administrative and consultative arrangements which have been adopted by the Government for drawing up national and sub-regional programmes for purposes of EC Structural Funds.
The Government decided on the composition of the various sub-regions after taking into consideration relevant factors such as population, area and geography, and previously adopted regional subdivisions of the country.
With regard to the particular situation of County Louth, its inclusion in the midlands and eastern sub-region does not affect its status as a Border county or its inclusion in the current EC Border areas programme. Any special Border area measures which are adopted will continue to apply to County Louth. However, the Government considered that, for the purposes of the type of programmes to be prepared for the Structural Funds, Louth had more in common with the counties of the midlands and east than with those of the north-west area.