Vol. 537 No. 4
55 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the number of projects in the national development plan for which his Department is responsible which are not to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14534/01]
I am assuming that the Deputy is referring in his question to capital projects, and to date no decisions have been taken not to proceed with projects in this category under the national development plan for which my Department has responsibility.
The tourism product investment scheme has, for the first time, had to be notified under EU State aids rules to the competition directorate of the European Commission. Negotiations are still under way, and the scheme will be launched once the necessary clearances have been secured.
Commencement of the recreation and sports sub-measure of the culture, recreation and sports measure under the local infrastructure sub-programme of the regional operational programmes awaits completion of the national spatial strategy and the identification of regional gateways, scheduled for end 2001.
