Vol. 398 No. 6
28 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if, in the context of the Irish Presidency of the EC, any proposals are being prepared to counter the possible ramifications of German unification for the availability of enhanced Structural Funds in the years after 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Community Support Framework, which was formally adopted by the Commission of the European Communities in October 1989, sets out the assistance which Ireland is to receive from the EC Structural Funds in the period from 1989 up to 1993. The Community Support Framework makes a commitment of £2.86 billion to Ireland for that period. This allocation was made under the regulation adopted by the European Council in June 1988 to increase progressively the Structural Funds to reach a doubling by 1993 over the 1987 position. Thus the total level of the Structural Funds and the amount to be provided to Ireland, apart from some additional allocations from the reserve to be allocated to new Community initiatives, is firmly established up to 1993. The availability of Structural Fund assistance to Ireland in that period cannot therefore be affected by the developments referred to in the question and action in the context of the Irish Presidency does not arise.
