Vol. 470 No. 3
24 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the input, if any, he and his Department will have to the mid-term review of expenditure under the various EU programmes relevant to his area of responsibility. [18738/96]
In so far as tourism is concerned, my Department is the national authority in charge of the management of the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99. Under the terms of this programme a formal mid-term evaluation is to take place after three years. The national monitoring committee for the operational programme which reviews overall performance of the programme and which is chaired by my Department is overseeing the mid-term evaluation and has commissioned independent consultancy advice. The intention is that the national monitoring committee will review the operational programme in the light of this advice in spring 1997.
In relation to the Community initiatives and other operational programmes which impact on tourism, my Department will have an input into the mid-term evaluations being carried by the respective monitoring committees through representation of the following: Ireland-Northern Ireland Interreg Programme (1994-1999); Ireland-Wales Interreg Programme (1994-1999); Special Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (1995-1999); Operational Programme for Transport (1994-1999); Operational Programme for Environmental Services (1994-1999); Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry (1994-1999); and Operational Programme for the implementation of Leader II (1994-1999).
In so far as trade is concerned, my Department, through its membership of the monitoring committee for industrial development, will participate in the mid-term review of the Operational Programme for Industrial Development 1994-99 which is being undertaken under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise and Employment.
