asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposals, if any, the Government have made for aid for cross-Border projects from funds provided by the European Community.
Ceisteanna——Questions. Oral Answers. - Cross-Border Projects.
77.
The only existing relevant provision for payments from Community funds relates to studies of the development of cross-Border areas. As more than one member State will be involved in such studies, their financing out of Community funds is agreed by the Commission at the joint request of the Governments of the member States concerned. We are anxious to see such Community-financed studies of cross-Border areas in Ireland.
Agreement in principle was reached during the Taoiseach's meeting with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Health, at Baldonnel in September, 1973, on the question of a joint approach to the European Commission on the matter. This agreement was reiterated at the meeting on 18th November last between the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Wilson and officials of both Governments are now in contact on the working out of detailed proposals.
Since September, 1973, am I to take it that no positive request has been made by the Governments jointly for cross-Border projects in this area?
Yes, there has been no such joint request but I would not want the Deputy to take it that we, on our side, have not pressed throughout this 14-month period for action on the matter on which agreement in principle was reached in September, 1973.
Would the Minister accept that it is strange that a Commissioner of the European Community would have to remind us that these funds are available?
They have no need to remind us. We are well aware of it. That is why we raised the issue in. the first instance and that is why we have pressed continuously for a joint proposal to be made.
While I appreciate that our Government would have this interest one is also looking for a result. May I ask the Minister if this has been raised since September, 1973, to ensure that their joint efforts would in the future be more urgent and more productive than obviously they have been since this matter was first discussed?
The Deputy can be assured of that. This has been a matter of particular concern to us. I have a personal interest in it since being in government. The Government feel that this could be constructive, they feel that there would be wide support among all groups in the community on both sides of the Border, in areas like Derry, for such a joint study which could help to overcome economic difficulties which arise from the Border without prejudice to any political considerations and I am satisfied that rapid progress will now be made in a matter which has, through no neglect of ours, hung fire for 14 months.
Can the Minister indicate what has been the basis of the reluctance of the British Government to undertake this joint obligation? Is there any good reason for it?
I do not think I am in a position to answer that authoritatively. If the Deputy can persuade a colleague in the British Parliament to put down a question there he is more likely to get an answer on that.
I can see no reason whatever for it and I would like more information on it.
I am not necessarily disagreeing with the Deputy on that.