asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the progress which has been made in the designation of County Wexford for industrial purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Designated Areas Application.
146.
The Government decision to extend the designated areas for the higher rate of industrial grant to include counties Louth, Wexford, Wicklow and Offaly was announced on 15 May, 1988. In that announcement, it was indicated that the approval of the EC Commission under the Treaty of Rome was required before the decision could be put into effect.
I can assure the Deputy that the Commission have received all the information they require in order to process our submission and I am optimistic that the appropriate approval for the designation of the four counties will be forthcoming in the near future.