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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 31 Jan 1989

Vol. 386 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Integrated Development Projects.

11.

asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in the Government submitting to the European Commission integrated development projects for the seven designated regions for which structural funding is to be sought; the consultation which will take place with elected local authority members prior to each development project being finalised and submitted to the European Commission; and if it is intended to publish and submit plans for each of the seven regions to Dáil Éireann for debate and approval.

55.

asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to publish the national and regional plans which are to be submitted for assistance from the EC Structural Funds.

57.

asked the Minister for Finance, in respect of the seven working groups preparing draft plans for the seven sub-regions of Ireland which together make up the national region for the purpose of financial assistance from the European Structural Funds, if he will have those draft plans published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 55 and 57 together.

There has been no delay in submitting operational programmes for the seven sub-regions designated by the Government for purposes of EC Structural Funds. The preparation of these programmes has been in train since October last. The regulations under which they can be submitted to the European Commission for funding, however, were adopted in December 1988 and only came into effect from 1 January 1989. Under these regulations, we must first submit a national development plan to the Commission — by 31 March 1989. The programmes will set out in more detail how the general development strategy identified in the plan will be implemented. We intend to submit the programmes at the same time as the national development plan, or soon afterwards.

The Government have set in place the arrangements which were outlined by the previous Minister for Finance, Mr. Ray MacSharry, in reply to a Dáil Question on 25 October 1988 to ensure that local elected representatives are provided an opportunity to make an input to the preparation of the operational programmes. The membership of the advisory groups established in each of the seven subregions includes the chairpersons of the main local authorities in each area. These advisory groups are being given an opportunity to review the sub-regional programmes as they are being drafted and they can also make their own submissions for consideration in connection with the preparation of the programmes. The presence of county managers on the working groups preparing the programmes provides further scope for the views of members to be reflected in the inputs of their councils to the programmes. Direct submissions can also be made by any person for consideration by the various groups.

I am satisfied that these arrangements comply fully with the requirements of the relevant EC regulations. At the discussions held between a delegation of Government Ministers and EC Commissioners in Brussels on 16 January 1989, the Commission welcomed these arrangements.

It is not the Government's intention to submit the programmes to Dáil Éireann for approval in advance of submission to the European Commission. The question of publication of the national plan and the operational programmes will be considered at a later stage.

Would the Minister indicate whether the seven sub-regional plans, including the Dublin plan, will be submitted or made available in completed draft form to the local authorities within the regional areas so that the plans are publicised and a public discussion can take place on the developmental and infrastructural priorities identified within each of the seven regions?

When those plans are completed, I expect that the priorities will be decided by the working groups after full consideration by the advisory groups. The plans, if available, will then be submitted to the Commission in Brussels, at the time of the development plan being put in place, or very shortly afterwards. I am sure the Deputy is as aware as I am that it is the national development plan which is the first priority. We are aiming to have the sub-regional plans ready at the same time, if at all possible. If not, they can be submitted very shortly afterwards.

Is the Minister aware that the time limit for the submission of plans is 31 March and that this time limit applies to the national plan and the sub-regional plans?

It does not apply to the sub-regional plans.

Is the Minister telling the House that neither the national plan in draft form nor the sub-regional plans in draft form as prepared by the working groups, the advisory groups, the Dublin consultants, members of his Department, members of the Department of the Environment and members of the Taoiseach's Department since the Minister of State at that Department has an input, will be published for open discussion by Members of this House or members of local authorities in the State?

That is a long question. We must have finality.

Is the Minister keeping it under wraps in secret? Is he involved in a secret process?

Deputy Shatter, please resume your seat. You have made your point.

I repeat that the question of the publication of the national plan and the operational programmes will be considered at a later stage by the Government. I would remind Deputy Shatter that the regulations do not provide that the operational programmes have to be in by 31 March.

A brief question from Deputy Shatter. Other Deputies are offering.

With respect, this is only my second supplementary.

The Deputy is tending to debate this matter. That is not in order.

In the context of the Dublin region, would the Minister confirm that an interim report has been made available to the Government by the Dublin consultants? Is the account of that report contained in today's edition of The Irish Times an accurate one and does the Minister regard it as satisfactory that the only information obtained by elected Members of this House about the Dublin consultancy report is through the leak of a portion of it to a national newspaper? In the light of that leak, will the Minister consider publishing the interim report and will he indicate when the final report will be made available?

I am not responsible for leaks to the newspapers. The interim report is being considered by the working groups and the advisory groups. Wherever the leak came from, the Deputy should not look at me.

Deputy Desmond.

Will it be officially published? It is farcical.

These interruptions must cease. Deputy Desmond has been called.

In view of the fact that the Minister has received the Dublin consultancy report as published in today's edition of The Irish Times, would he agree that this report, dated 18 January, is to say the least an inadequate and very disturbing report of rather slim proportions? In the light of that document there are grave grounds for concern and our forebodings are well and truly justified regarding what is to emerge in the greater Dublin region.

I will not comment on a leak in a national newspaper. Leaks can be very selective from time to time.

(Interruptions.)

Deputy Desmond, you have asked the question. You should listen to the reply.

I did not have the opportunity of establishing whether everything in the report was published in The Irish Times.

It was all in The Irish Times.

If the Deputy does not want me to answer, let him keep interrupting. He wants to ask a question and answer it himself.

The Chair is doing his best. This is leading to disorderly argument.

The report is being considered by the working groups and the advisory groups and then we will hear more about it.

When does the Minister expect the final report from the consultants and will it be published? The sum of £300,000 in public money has been spent on the preparation of these reports.

Seeing that the interim report was published, I will leave it to the Deputy to speculate as to whether he expects to read the next one in The Irish Times as well.

The Minister is in charge of these reports.

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