Vol. 498 No. 5
149 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Finance if the Objective One Status for the western, midlands and Border counties was discussed in the EU meetings in Vienna on 11 December 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28129/98]
The specific issue referred to in the Deputy's question was not on the agenda for the Vienna Council meeting and did not therefore arise in that context.
In accordance with the Government decision of 17 November an application has now been lodged with EUROSTAT for the reclassification of Ireland's single NUTS II region status into two NUTS II regions: — one comprising the Border, midlands and the west, including counties Clare and Kerry and the other comprising the rest of the country.
Officials from my Department and the Central Statistics Office have met with EUROSTAT to discuss the proposal and ongoing contact is being maintained.
