asked the Minister for Finance if he will make arrangements to have all Members of the European Parliament briefed, at ministerial level, on Ireland's application for assistance from the European Structural Fund.
Ceisteanna— Questions. Oral Answers. - National Development Plan 1989-1993.
15.
Under the terms of the relevant European Community legislation, the examination of the National Development Plan 1989-1993 is a matter for the Commission. The European Parliament has no function in this process and, accordingly, there is no particular reason why all Members of that Parliament should be briefed at ministerial level or otherwise.
With regard to Irish Members of the Parliament, I have not been made aware of any desire for a particular briefing by me, nor indeed am I aware of any dissatisfaction at the level of information available about the plan. If the Deputy has any information to the contrary, I would of course be glad to see what additional information might usefully be provided.
(Limerick East): Will the Minister agree to provide such briefing by appropriate Ministers or appropriate civil servants if requested by MEPs?
There is already a fairly well established arrangement for Irish MEPs to be briefed by Departments. I take it the question refers to Irish Members and not all Members of the European Parliament. I would not see the point of the question otherwise. Departments have always made information available and I have no doubt will again if requested to do so.
Would the Minister accept that there is perhaps a need to brief some of his party's candidates in view of one statement that the Minister for Finance would be confidently expected to avail of Structural Funds to pay off the national debt?
The Deputy is raising a separate matter, a particular matter worthy of a separate question.
I have no information on the matter raised by the Deputy.
That was stated by Deputy Doherty last week.
Deputy Desmond raised the matter of how I can solve the problems of cutbacks in health and housing areas using the Structural Funds. The little education that he has got so far in the election campaign has not been useful to him.