asked the Minister for External Affairs whether the final allocation and utilisation of the Grant Counterpart Fund, amounting to between £6,000,000 and £7,000,000 is likely to be affected by the recent crux which has arisen between the Government and the United States Government concerning the completion of the E.R.P. in Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grant Counterpart Fund.
It is understood that proposals for the utilisation of the Grant Counterpart Fund will now require the specific approval of the United States Congress and that the M.S.A. will take over the functions of the E.C.A. in the matter of examining whatever proposals are submitted by the Irish Government.
May I take it from that, that the utilisation of these funds is not going to be impaired by the recent difficulties that have arisen?
As the Deputy is aware, heretofore the situation was that it had to have the approval of the E.C.A. but sanction now rests with the United States Congress.
Is the Minister yet in a position to indicate the proposals that have been put forward by the Irish Government in regard to the utilisation of these sums of money?
No.
I put down a question——
The Deputy put two questions before but I am not in a position to give the information.
May I repeat the question in a couple of weeks' time?
Yes, in a couple of weeks' time.