asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in respect of each financial year from 1973-4 to 1978, the value of contracts under the European Development Fund, awarded to (a) Irish semi-State bodies and (b) Irish based private firms.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Development Fund Contracts.
19.
The 4th European Development Fund (EDF), which came into operation in April 1976 as part of the Lomé Convention, is the first of the European Development Funds to which Ireland has contributed and in which it has been eligible to participate. According to information supplied by the European Commission, the value of contracts awarded since then to Irish firms under the fund is of the order of 2.25 million units of account (MUA) or just over £1.5 million. Of these amounts 586,000 u.a.—£396,000—are accounted for by contracts awarded to semi-State bodies and 1,662 mua—£1.12 million—by those awarded to private firms. As the fund is not disbursed on an annual basis, no yearly breakdown is available for the granting of these contracts.
Would the Minister feel that inadequate participation by non-State firms is taking place in the light of the report?
I believe so, but the Deputy will be aware that it is an area in which our right of involvement has been relatively slow. We were not involved at all until very recently. I am quite satisfied that the involvement of both the semi-State and the private sectors is a growing one and will be even more significant in years to come.
What means does the Minister use to alert the private sector to the opportunities that exist?
Normally, it is through the Department of Industry, Commerce and Energy and the representative bodies most directly involved in private industry. I am quite satisfied that the confederation are fully aware of the possibilities.
Does the Minister expect an increasing share of this work will be going to the private sector or does he expect that the present ratio will continue?
I should explain that it is not a matter for the Government, not even for the Commission to determine who is engaged in the first instance.
I realise that.
Then the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot give a very definite statement as to what the rate of development will be, because it is a matter for the recipient country to determine who should in the first instance get the consultancy contract and after that who should be engaged on the work and supply contract. My firm intention and constant commitment is to ensure that our rate of involvement will be at maximum level.