John Bruton
Ceist:77 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline Ireland's plans to avail of the proposed scheme of EC aid for trans-European networds which has given treaty authority at Maastricht.
Written Answers. - EC Aid for Trans-European Networks.
The Treaty on European Union, which was agreed by Heads of State and Government at the European Council in Maastricht in December of last year and which is to be signed shortly, introduces provisions dealing with trans-European networks (TENS) in the areas of transport, telecommunications and energy infrastructures. These relates to the interconnection of national networks. They take particular account of the need to link peripheral, land-locked and island region with the central region of the Community and they include the possibility of Community financial support for projects of common interest, financed by member states.
In addition, the Treaty provides for a cohesion fund to be set up before the end of 1993. This fund, which is to complement the existing structural funds, is intended to help member states with a GNP per capita which is less than 90 per cent of the Community average. It will provide aid for projects in two areas: the environment and transport infrastructures aspects of TENS. This fund is one of the many important elements relating to economic and social cohension which were included in the Treaty.
The Commission has not yet put forward its detailed proposals on the funding and implementation of the measures and it would be premature to outline proposals before the specific eligibility criteria and operational procedures have been negotiated in the Council of Ministers. Ireland has been very successful in submitting worthwhile projects for existing Structural Fund assistance, with the result tht we have been able to benefit extremely well from the funds available to us. We will seek to ensure that this will apply also to the new measures and to the increased and more flexible Structural Funds which will result from the Treaty provisions we negotiated.