Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004
138 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the concerns of a person (details supplied); and if, in view of the quoted concern of the Dutch Foreign Minister, he will make a statement on the matter. [30755/04]
View answerI am aware of the claims to which the Deputy has drawn my attention concerning EU funding. They have been investigated by the European Commission and no evidence to date has been found to substantiate them. The investigations are still ongoing. Preliminary conclusions reached by the working group of the European Parliament and the European anti-fraud office, OLAF, are in line with the Commission's finding. However, no final conclusions can be drawn at this stage.
In relation to the second concern expressed, regarding the statement of my colleague, the Dutch Foreign Minister, I understand that this is his publicly stated position on this subject. This position is not, as of now, a common position of the EU. The question of the designation of such organisations is kept under regular review within the European Union, and Ireland fully participates in these reviews.
