Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Mar 1995

Vol. 449 No. 8

Written Answers. - Additional Border Funding.

Brendan Smith

Question:

65 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Finance the structures, if any, he has or will put in place to ensure that INTERREG II and the special European Union aid package are additional to expenditure already committed to the border region in the National Development Plan and in the Operational Programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4668/95]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

As the Deputy will know, Commission approval for the Ireland/Northern Ireland INTERREG programme was announced on 27 February last. The programme provides for a monitoring committee representative of the various interests involved which includes Commission representatives, implementing Departments and representatives of other relevant interests such as the new Border Regional Authority. As under the INTERREG I programme, the monitoring committee is charged, amongst other things, with ensuring that the principle of additionality is maintained.

Additional EU funding is also being provided to support the Northern Ireland peace process. Draft guidelines have now been approved by the Commission and are in course of examination by the European Parliament, Committee of the Regions, the Economic and Social Committee and the Management Committee on Community initiatives. Formal adoption of the initiative is expected around end April and the operational programme is expected to be approved later in the year. In drawing up the programme the two administrations will pay particular attention to ensure full complementarity with INTERREG and other programmes relevant to the border region, including the International Fund for Ireland. While consideration of the structures necessary to ensure this will form part of that process it is envisaged that monitoring arrangements similar to the INTERREG programme (involving largely the same participants) will be put in place.

The additionality requirements will also apply to this initiative.