Mary O'Rourke
Question:22 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade his views on the trade aspects of the EU PHARE programme. [14057/95]
Written Answers. - PHARE Programme.
David Andrews
Question:149 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade his views on the trade aspects of the EU PHARE programme. [14156/95]
Tony Killeen
Question:163 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade his views on the trade aspects of the EU PHARE programme. [14174/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 149 and 163 together.
The European Union PHARE programme is an initiative which began in 1990 and which aims to bring technical assistance to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe as they move towards democracy and a market economy. The programme is wide reaching and offers assistance to each beneficiary country in line with its own particular needs and state of redevelopment.
Irish firms and interests have played a major role in the provision of consultancy services and advice under the PHARE programme, having secured contracts to a value of almost 45.5 million ECU (about £36 million) since the programme started. I am hopeful that Irish interests, with the guidance of An Bord Tráchtála, will continue to play an important role, both on their own initiative and as sub-contractors, adapting to the inevitable changes in emphasis in the PHARE programme as the emerging democracies strive to move towards European Union membership.