Michael Finucane
Ceist:60 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Finance the status of the environment and transport projects under the 1993 Cohesion Funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Cohesion Fund Disbursement.
The Cohesion Fund as agreed at the European Summit at Edinburgh in December, 1992 is intended to provide EC financial assistance to projects in the environment and transport areas. The aim is to provide aid to assist member states in meeting EC environmental requirements and in financing the provision of trans-European transport infrastructure.
Pending ratification of the Treaty on European Union which provides for the Cohesion Fund, it is intended that an interim instrument be established to provide EC financial support to projects eligible for Cohesion Fund assistance. This instrument was agreed at the EC General Affairs Council on 8 March subject to the views of the European Parliament. The aim, as agreed at the Edinburgh summit, is that the instrument be adopted by 1 April, 1993.
Proposals for investment of Cohesion Fund aid in 1993 were included in my Financial Statement to this House on 24 February, 1993. Specific projects, consistent with those proposals, are at present being submitted to the EC Commission for approval for EC aid in 1993 under the proposed Cohesion Fund interim instrument.