Vol. 423 No. 6
61 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Finance the total grant aid which Ireland has received since joining the EC for infrastructural improvements; the grant for road improvements to date; the proposals, if any, under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Commitments of EC aid to Ireland under the European Regional Development Fund and the Transport Infrastructure Fund in respect of infrastructural improvements for the period 1975 to 1991, inclusive, total £1,079 million, of which the roads component is £483 million.
I am co-ordinating the preparation of a Development Plan which will be submitted to the EC Commission for the next round of Structural Funds. The Minister for the Environment, together with other Ministers, will be making proposals for consideration by Government in the formulation of this Plan. In addition, there are consultations taking place with various other groups. In advance of the Plan being finalised by Government, I am unable to indicate any precise proposals relevant to the particular area referred to in the question.
The matter of specific road improvements to be implemented up to the end of the present period of Structural Funds (end 1993) is for the Minister for the Environment.
