Vol. 448 No. 1
50 Mr. Gallagher (Donegal South-West) asked the Minister for Finance if the Irish Government has submitted an application to DG XVI, Regional Affairs Directorate, of the European Commission to secure funding from the EU Konver 1994 to 1999 initiative; if not, if it is proposed to submit an application for Konver funding in view of the permanent cessation of violence in Northern Ireland. [1128/95]
Ireland did not meet the eligibility criteria set out in the guidelines for the Konver initiative published by the European Commission on 2 July 1994.
While the Konver programme is not relevant to Ireland I recognise that, arising out of the "peace process" there may be an adverse effect on Border communities of a possible significant reduction in spending power due to a lower security presence. While it is impossible, at this stage, to quantify the impact this may have, it is an area which will be considered in the context of the new EU programme initiative in support of the peace process in Northern Ireland. In the interim, I have arranged for a facilitating provision to be made under the Economic Development measure of the INTERREG programme so that proposals relevant to this area can be assessed.
