Vol. 483 No. 1
68 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to implement the regulation stipulating the minimum control standards that member states will have to apply to control spending from Structural Funds, as adopted by the European Commission on 16 October 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19650/97]
The regulation in question, Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2064/97 of 15 October 1997, establishes detailed arrangements for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4253/88 as regards the financial control by member states of operations co-financed by the Structural Funds.
The principles governing the financial control of Structural Funds have been long established and Ireland has long complied with them. This Commission Regulation clarifies details of the scope and scale of controls and procedures for consulting with and reporting to the Commission about these controls. So the generality of the controls are already being implemented; what is now required is that we comply with the newly specified details.
My Department has engaged management consultants, with EU assistance, to examine the detailed controls now in place and to make recommendations about improvements, if such are needed, to meet the detailed requirements now set out. The study covers all stages of implementation of the European Regional Development Fund, for which the Department of Finance has specific responsibility, and all bodies involved in that implementation.
I expect that this study will be completed shortly, and implementation of its recommendations will proceed immediately.
