Vol. 470 No. 6
30 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he will take to avert EU budget cuts of almost 300 million ECU proposed for EU development and co-operation spending in deprived and developing countries. [19637/96]
I am fully aware of the proposed cuts in EU development budget lines. These cuts are not exclusive to development, but rather reflect a rigorous approach to budget discipline in all areas by member states.
The concerns expressed by NGOs and others with regard to these cuts have been brought to the attention of the Minister of Finance and, I am sure, will be taken into account in preparations for the next meeting of the Budget Council on 19 November.
It should be noted, however, that as these budget lines are classified as non-compulsory expenditure the final decision on the appropriations will rest with the European Parliament at its second reading of the draft budget in December.
I will, of course, continue to monitor developments in relation to these budget lines at each of the remaining stages of the budgetary process.
