Vol. 442 No. 6
11 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if the tourism operational programme has been sent to Brussels; if so, when it will be approved; the expected date of publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A preliminary draft of the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-1999 was submitted to the European Commission in December last and initial negotiations subsequently took place earlier this year. Arising from these negotiations, a revised official draft of the programme was submitted to Brussels last month. While I cannot say definitely when the programme will be approved, I am confidence that it will be published during the summer.
What is the total funding sought under this programme? Is the amount sought under the revised proposal less than that sought under the original proposal because of the decrease in funding under the National Plan from £8 billion to £7.2 billion?
The Department was subjected to the same pro rata reduction as other Departments.
Does the Minister agree that he is being vague when he says it will be published some time during the summer? It is unfair to the operators who are ready to go ahead with their proposals.
I dealt with that aspect on another occasion. I am not in a position to publish the operational programme for tourism until the National Plan is agreed, which should be in the near future. Last December we submitted a preliminary draft of the programme to Brussels. Negotiations have been ongoing since then. We submitted another draft at the end of April. We ironed out the problems we had with the Commission and its officials. When the National Plan is agreed and published some time next month I shall be in a position to publish the operational programme for Tourism. Eligible expenditure under the programme will date from 1 January 1994.
As the time for priority questions is now exhausted we shall deal with Question No.12 in the category of other questions.
