andMr. P. Barry asked the Minister for Finance if he will publish the regional development programmes submitted in support of Ireland's applications for assistance from the regional fund, if he is aware of the Commission findings that many of the programmes submitted by member states were wanting in various ways, if the Irish programme was found to be so in any respect; if so, if he will give details; and if he will outline various programmes he intends to submit for the 1981 to 1985 period.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Regional Fund.
9.
The regional development programme for Ireland submitted to the Commission of the European Communities, in compliance with the regulation establishing the European Regional Development Fund, was published by the commission in August 1978. Accordingly, the question of my publishing the programme does not arise. The Deputies will be aware, however, that as this country is regarded as one region for the purposes of the Community's regional policy, our programme was, in effect, a national one and comprised the White Paper on National Development, 1977-1980 together with additional analytical and other material as sought in the Common Outline for Regional Development Programmes adopted by the EEC Regional Policy Committee.
Regarding the Deputies' second question, I am aware that the Commission published an opinion on the regional development programmes in May 1979. The Commission's opinion was, however, a general one on all the programmes rather than being related to specific programmes. While it stated that the programmes need to be developed further, it nevertheless agreed that they would enable it to make a better assessment of investment projects which are to receive regional fund assistance.
I think that it is important to remember that these programmes represented a first effort on the part of member states and were therefore of an experimental nature. It is to be hoped that the programmes will be constantly improved. The Commission's recommendations to member states on future programmes are designed to facilitate such an improvement, and I can assure the Deputies that they will receive particular attention in the context of the preparation of our "second-generation" programme.
Regarding this "second-generation" programme, I should mention that the Commission have recommended the adoption by all member states of a uniform programme period coinciding with that chosen for the fifth medium term economic programme, that is to say, 1981-1985. I would expect these programmes to be submitted towards the end of the year or in the early part of next year.
In addition to this regional development programme, it is also my intention to submit a special programme implementing a specific Community regional development measure contributing to the improvement of the economic and social situation in the border areas in the context of the non-quota section of the regional fund. The timing of the submission of this special programme will be determined by the adoption of the Council regulations instituting the non-quota section measures. This special programme will also be published by the Commission.
Is it not the case that the Commission were unhappy with the programme published by the Irish Government as a basis for regional development here?
No.
And that it indicated its general unhappiness with the programmes produced by this and other countries?
That is not so. The Commission certainly did not indicate their unhappiness with the programme produced by this country.
It was other countries whose programmes they were unhappy with?
That may be. It is not fair even to suggest reflection on other partner countries here, either. What was suggested here, as I indicated in my reply, was that in view of the fact that the first programme was obviously a first experience and, to that extent at least, of an experimental nature, they did certainly make suggestions which will be considered in the context of the next programme with a view to expediting commitments from the fund.
When does the Minister expect to publish the Irish programme for the 1981-1985 period and will it be published before it is submitted to the EEC or only after it has been approved by the EEC?
That is a matter, of course, for the Government; but the fact is that the programme will obviously be prepared before the end of this year by the Government. In regard to whether or not it will bè published here before it is submitted to the EEC, that can only be considered at that time. As I indicated in my reply to the Deputy, he will be aware of the fact that because all of this country is considered as a region within the definitions of the European Regional Fund which was negotiated at the time by the then Government, the practice has been that we present overall national development policy.
Is that country the 32 or 26 counties?
In this instance, the 26.
Am I hearing the Minister correctly that the last Government White Paper formed a part or a whole of the Government's programme for regional development?
Yes, and in fact was regarded, I can tell the Deputy, by the Commission as being a very detailed and suitable expression of regional policy as required by the Commission at the time.
Would the Minister not consider it quite extraordinary that a document that had that kind of accolade from Brussels was published with a qualifying order by the Government of which he is now a member?
I think the Deputy is confused. We are speaking of the paper which was submitted, the White Paper National Development, 1977-1980.
That is my confusion. I apologise and thank the Minister for clarifying that matter. I did not hear the Minister correctly on that.
A final supplementary from Deputy Quinn.
Regarding the supplementary question put by Deputy Bruton in relation to the publication of the regional programme, why is the Minister not in a position now to indicate whether or not it will be published? Why should the Government wait until it is actually drawn up—I think the Minister's phrase was "at that time"—before deciding whether it would be appropriate or not?
First of all, there is no obligation on any Government to publish in the member state the programme submitted to the Commission.
Accepted.
That has been the case and is now the case. So far as there is no obligation, it is a matter for Government discretion as to whether or not they will publish here the paper submitted to the Commission. I have indicated to the Deputy that the preparations are already under way in my Department and in other Departments to formulate in detail the outlines of that programme. I am not saying that I see any objection to publishing that programme at the appropriate time. It may well be that the decision could be perhaps to formulate a different type of document for the Commission from that which was formulated last time. It is not that I have any predisposed attitude. I simply cannot say at this point.
In view of the fairly elaborate consultative procedure—and I use the phrase advisedly "consultative procedure"—within the Community, both in the economic and social council and in the secondary legislation committees, would it not be to the benefit of this country and to all the people, bodies and organisations involved in participating in the regional fund that the Government should publish that document so that the consultative process domestically can match the consultative process within the Nine?
Hear, Hear.
First of all, I want it to be known that the consultative process domestically here not only matches that within the Nine EEC Member States but, in fact, surpasses it. Having said that let me say that the views of the secondary legislation committee will, of course, be regarded by the Government in doing this. I do not wish to imply, in saying that, that it will not be published. I hope that the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot give a commitment to that effect at this stage.