Vol. 420 No. 4
23 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he, or any member of his Department, has requested or directed, formally or informally, any county manager or local authority council not to deal directly with the EC Commission in Brussels on the question of allocation and distribution of EC Structural Funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Under the Structural Fund regulations, applications to the EC Commission for assistance must be submitted by the national authorities of the Member States.
In the case of Ireland, Structural Fund assistance is provided under the provisions of the Community Support Framework agreed between the Irish Government and the EC Commission and which covers the period 1989 to 1993. In addition, assistance is provided in respect of applications submitted by the Government, under a range of Community Initiatives announced by the EC Commission.
The Community Support Framework provides for the involvement of local authority members and managers on Sub-Regional Review Committees which are consulted regularly about implementation of Structural Fund measures in the Sub-Region concerned. The Review Committees also include representatives of the EC Commission, the Social Partners and Government Departments. The Committee provide opportunities for local authorities to make contact with the EC Commission in relation to the Structural Funds.
I should add that neither I nor any official of my Department acting on my behalf have given a direction or made a request on the lines suggested by the Deputy.
