Vol. 405 No. 7
20 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Labour if he will consider hosting an international conference this year under the aegis of FÁS to highlight the employment requirements of peripheral regions in the European Community, with a view to promoting concerned action by the EC to advance economic and social cohesion.
During the negotiations of the Community Support Framework with the EC Commission, the employment requirements of the peripheral regions and those of Ireland in particular were conveyed forcefully and regularly to the Commission by myself, by fellow Government Ministers and by officials.
As part of these negotiations, the Government drew up a National Development Plan for the years 1989-93. The plan analysed the structural weaknesses of the Irish economy and put forward Government proposals for concerted action to tackle these weaknesses.
As a result of the negotiations, a Community Support Framework was agreed which will eventually deliver in the region of £3 billion aid over the five years 1989-93. The Community Support Framework provide a multi-annual approach on the basis of programmes. These programmes aim to promote concerted action to advance economic and social cohesion.
