asked the Minister for Finance if he has any plans to establish bodies with executive responsibility for required planning, along the lines of resolutions thereon by the European Parliament.
7.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Regional Development.
6.
asked the Minister for Finance the implications for the regional plans being prepared for European funds, of the Hume report adopted by the European Parliament.
25.
asked the Minister for Finance if the European Parliament has adopted a resolution in respect of the Hume report on regional development in Ireland, to the effect that regional development organisations similar to SFADCo should be established in each region; if so, the status of this resolution; its implications for the likely attitude of EC authorities to applications for funds from Ireland which have not been prepared in conformity with its terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
34.
asked the Minister for Finance if he proposes to modify the regional structure for the preparation of plans for the EC, in the light of the Hume report of the European Parliament.
59.
asked the Minister for Finance if he has had any discussions with members of the European Parliament concerning the implications for Ireland of the resolutions of the Parliament concerning regional development in Ireland.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 7, 25, 34 and 59 together.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the Hume report on 13 October 1987 which recommended that regional authorities with executive and planning powers should be created in Ireland and that, as an interim measure, regional development bodies similar to the SFADCo model in the mid-west region should be established in suitably designated regions. The resolution has no legal effect.
Structural Funds assistance will be sought from the Community on the basis of the national development plan and a number of operational programmes. These are being prepared in accordance with the EC regulations governing the new Structural Funds arrangements which were adopted in 1988. Under these regulations, it is a matter for the national authorities to determine who should prepare operational programmes.
It should be noted that the normal procedures involving consultation with the European Parliament took place before these regulations were adopted.
I have no plans to modify the arrangements put in place by the Government for the preparation of the sub-national operational programmes for the purposes of EC Structural Funds. These are fully in line with the relevant regulations.
I have had no discussions with members of the European Parliament concerning the implications for Ireland of the resolution of the Parliament concerning regional development in Ireland.
Will the Minister confirm that the Government disagree with the Hume report and believe that it was wrong in its recommendation that regional development authorities be established in Ireland?
I have not said that. Creation of elected regional authorities with devolved executive and planning powers covered by the nine regional development authorities were suggested as a basis: increased use of programmes, and particularly integrated programmes for the most disadvantaged areas and for Dublin are also recommendations of the report in addition to transfer of Government Departments from Dublin. We have already gone well down the road to transferring Government Departments out of Dublin. That would not suggest that we totally disagree with the recommendations.
On the question of programmes, particularly integrated programmes, that is precisely what is taking place on the working groups and advisory groups for preparation of submissions to Brussels for funding under the Structural Funds.
I refer the Minister to the first paragraph of his own reply where he stated that the Hume report had recommended that regional development authorities similar to SFADCo be appointed in Ireland. I am asking him again does he disagree with that recommendation in view of the fact that he is apparently not prepared to implement it? I would further ask the Minister if he considers that the European Parliament has no influence on the budget and that, therefore, he can easily ignore its recommendations.
First, the Hume recommendations, as the Deputy is well aware, have no legal basis whatsoever.
Is the Minister aware that the European Parliament, while it passes resolutions of this kind which may not have a direct legal basis, has considerable influence on the policy of the Community, and if a unanimous recommendation is made in favour of regional development authorities, that for the Irish Government either to say that they agree or disagree but propose to ignore it is, to say the least, reckless and puts in jeopardy the possibility of obtaining our maximum funding from the EC?
This seems to be leading to debate. We cannot debate this matter now.
I want to repudiate the use of the word "reckless" in relation to anything this Government do. Secondly, the Deputy is fully aware that those recommendations have no basis——
No basis.
——and thirdly, the Commission, before they drew up these regulations, had full consultation with the Parliament. We are going along with what the regulations demand, and as Ireland is a single region, we are dealing with it on that basis.
Deputy Bruton, we must have finality on this question. I will allow a brief question from Deputy Alan Shatter.
Is the Minister saying the Hume report has no basis?
No legal basis.
No basis is what you said.
The Minister referred to the arrangements that have been put in train for the processing of the integrated programmes to be completed by 31 March. Does he recognise that the recommendations of the Hume report in regard to the establishment of regional authorities related not merely to the processing but to the putting in place of structures to monitor and supervise the application of regional funding? What proposals does the Minister have as an alternative to those in the Hume report as to what structures should be put in place after 31 March next?
That is a separate question. The Deputy himself has a similar type question later on. The question in relation to it is that the national plan is being put together by the Government and will be lodged with the Commission on or before 31 March and that the integrated programmes which form part of that plan will be the basis on which we will be looking for funds——
I was contemplating going on to another question but I will facilitate Deputy Desmond.
What happens after 31 March? The Minister has no idea what happens after 31 March.
Maybe I would like to take some advice from Deputy Shatter as to what to do. We are all aware of what we are going to do both before and after 31 March.
(Interruptions.)
Would the Minister accept that in relation to the greater Dublin region there does not exist a regional planning authority, either elected or non-elected at present?
That is a deviation from the question.
They are all deviating from the question. The Deputy is well aware that there is a working group and advisory groups and consultants drawing up a report. Both the advisory groups and the working group are looking at the report at the moment.
There is no planning authority.
Is the Deputy saying that Dublin County Council and Dublin Corporation are not planning authorities or that the Borough of Dún Laoghaire is not a planning authority?
I would point out to the Minister that in the greater Dublin region there is no co-ordination and no planning whatsoever.
(Interruptions.)
I have indicated on a number of occasions that I am going on to another question. I will allow Deputy Noonan a question if he will be very brief.
(Limerick East): In the Minister's reply there was no reference to the Minister for the Environment, Deputy Flynn. On the day of the reshuffle the Taoiseach announced a role for Deputy Flynn in these matters. Could the Minister for Finance confirm that he maintains that role and what exactly that role is?
That is a separate question.
(Limerick East): According to the Taoiseach he is the central coordinator of economic planning. Where has he gone?
If Deputy Noonan wants to ask me about my role I will be glad to answer him at any time but I will not answer questions about Deputy Flynn's role.
(Limerick East): I am fearful that his role is encroaching on yours.
The Minister was happy to to have him out defending his budget on RTE.
(Limerick East): Have you got him under control?
(Interruptions.)