The development aims of the Northern Ireland/Ireland INTERREG II programme, 1994-1999, are:
(a) to promote the creation and development of networks of cross-Border co-operation and, where relevant, the linking of these networks to wider community networks, in the context of the completion of the internal market of 1992; and
(b) to assist the eligible area in overcoming the special development problems arising from its relative isolation within national economies and within the European Union as a whole, in the interests of the local population and in a matter compatible with the protection of the environment.
I agree that the principles mentioned by the Deputy form a key part of the rationale behind the Northern Ireland/Ireland INTERREG II programme, 1994-99. In this context, the tourism measure is one of a number of economic measures designed to achieve the objectives set.
The tourism measure has, to date assisted a wide range of projects which has enhanced tourist facilities and amenities in the Border area. A total of 37 projects have been approved to date for assistance, mostly being capital development, with a number of marketing projects also. Details of these projects were provided in my written reply to Deputy Bernard Allen, on 16 October 1997.
Projects assisted under the tourism measure of INTERREG II complement others in the Border region benefiting under the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-99, and the tourism programme of the International Fund for Ireland.
