asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the matters discussed during his recent meeting with the European Commissioner for Regional Affairs in Dublin; if the Commissioner made any comment on the recent National Development Plan submitted by the Government to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Meeting with EC Commissioner.
54.
At the meeting which took place in Dublin between Commissioner Millan and members of the Government, the main subject of discussion was the National Development Plan. The Government representatives stressed the importance of the plan for economic and social development in Ireland, the main requirements for development, the scope for involving the private sector and the need to maintain the momentum of the plan by early decisions on the plan itself and on the operational programmes through which it will be implemented.
The Commissioner welcomed the timely submission of the plan and recognised the need to maintain its momentum. He endorsed both the economic framework and the individual sectoral proposals which the plan contains. He also particularly noted the emphasis on overcoming the difficulties posed by our peripherality and on the need to upgrade our road system and tourism infrastructure. He welcomed our effort to involve private funding in the overall development effort.