asked the Taoiseach the plans the Government have to secure private sector investment for spending on infrastructural development.
Written Answers. - Infrastructural Development.
61.
I take it the Deputy is referring to private sector involvement in infrastructural projects to be submitted for European Structural Fund assistance that I referred to in my statement to the House of 7 December on the recent Rhodes European Council.
The position is that a workshop has been organised on "Private Participation in European Structural Funds Projects" in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, for Monday next, 19 December. The workshop arises from the fact that for the first time the regulations governing the European Community Structural Funds permit the matching of privately financed projects of public interest which contribute to economic development. This was a point we pressed strongly in the negotiations on the regulations. The kind of projects envisaged include toll roads and bridges, marine facilities, caravan parks, tourist and leisure facilities, heritage and cultural centres, science parks and forestry projects. Some 100 representatives of private sector companies who are involved in these activities or in related areas have been invited to attend the workshop.
The workshop will focus in the morning on setting out the background to the development of private investment and involvement in projects aided from the Structural Funds through public/private partnerships and also through strictly commercial private investment. In the afternoon there will be group sessions to discuss specific sectors. Arising out of the workshop, specific proposals can be made and discussed on an individual basis to preserve commercial confidentiality.