Vol. 418 No. 6
46 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Finance the proposals he has to deal with the EC Cohesion Fund which would have high rates of Community contribution at 85 per cent to 90 per cent; and if he will be setting up regional bodies to draft regional plans so that the regions have a meaningful input into EC decisions.
At this stage no decision has been made at Community level about the size of the Cohesion Fund. The Commission's proposals on the Community budget for the period 1993 to 1997, which among other things deals with the Cohesion Fund is at present being considered by the Council.
Under the Maastricht Treaty, the Cohesion Fund will provide aid for projects in the areas of the environment and transport in the context of trans-European networks. The regulation to govern the operation of the Cohesion Fund has yet to be considered. Until it is adopted it will not be possible to say precisely how the fund will operate nor what intervention rate will apply.
The Government are committed to consultation with sub-regional interests in relation to the preparation of plans for the use of future EC structural aid.
