Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2016
550. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has received a response from the European Commission to his predecessor's letter of 3 May 2016, expressing serious concerns at the changing approach taken by EUROSTAT to the balance sheet classification of public private partnership; his future strategy in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12744/16]
View answerAs referred to in the Deputy's question, a detailed letter outlining serious concerns at the proposed new approach being taken by Eurostat to the balance sheet classification of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) was sent to the European Commission on the 3rd of May last. To date I have not received a response from the Commission to this letter.
The Deputy will, however, wish to note that on the 26th of May a letter was sent to Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission by an Taoiseach, which was also copied to the President of the European Council and all the other members of the Council. In this letter An Taoiseach echoed the concerns previously outlined and expressed the view that Eurostat's approach poses a significant threat to the ability of Governments to continue to use PPPs as a legitimate means of complementing direct Exchequer investment, thereby undermining the generally agreed objective of supporting greater investment in much needed infrastructure across Europe.
From discussions with colleagues from other Member States, I are aware that Ireland is just one of many Member States to have expressed these views to the Commission. We will, of course, continue to pursue this matter through appropriate channels, with a view to securing the necessary clarity and certainty in terms of how the ESA 2010 rules are to be applied by Eurostat when determining the balance sheet treatment of PPPs.
