Vol. 521 No. 4
120 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Finance if he has authorised the first payment of the grant approved under the Operational Programme for Tourism for the golf course at Doonbeg, County Clare from the European Regional Development Fund account in view of the Commission's suspension of funding for this project; if he has further authorised payment from any other account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17114/00]
The Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation submitted a formal request to the Department of Finance on 22 December 1999 to transfer a sum of money from the Department of Finance European Regional Development Fund suspense account to SFADCo in respect of a European Regional Development Fund supported project for Doonbeg golf course, County Clare. However, as the Department had been notified on 14 December 1999 that the Commission had suspended community assistance for this particular project, the claim for payment could not be processed. Furthermore, there has been no authorisation of a payment from any other account.
I understand that the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation is awaiting a decision from the Commission in regard to the lifting of the suspension on the grant of community assistance.
