Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Jan 1995

Vol. 447 No. 11

Written Answers. - EU Funds Appraisal Criteria.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

233 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that all projects aided by EU structural and cohesion funds must meet specific community appraisal criteria, including stringent environmental and land use planning criteria, and must be in harmony with the preservation of the local environment; his views on whether an application from companies (details supplied) for a proposed development in the Phoenix Park would be considered to be in harmony with the preservation of the local environment; his further views on whether such an application would be eligible in principle for EU moneys taking into particular account the nature of the specific location proposed as well as the scale of the proposals submitted to the planning authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1378/95]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

234 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade whether a formal, properly detailed and costed application or any form of application has been received from companies (details supplied) for EU moneys towards the construction costs of a national convention centre or towards the construction costs of an integrated mix of tourism-related facilities, including possibly a casino or national stadium; and, if so, if he will provide details of any such application. [1379/95]

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. E. Kenny)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.

Last year the Department of the Taoiseach received correspondence from Ogden Corporation Ltd., outlining a proposal for a complex which would include a convention centre and a casino.

It was in the nature of an initial outline proposal only. No formal costed application has been received and, if any is, it will have to be carefully considered by Government and the EU Commission.

In the event that any proposal of this kind is being considered for European Regional Development Fund funds under the Tourism Operational Programme it will, like all other developments, be required to comply with the best environmental standards. The European Union Environmental Impact Assessment Directives will also be applied where relevant. The planning criteria are a matter for the planning authorities.