Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jun 1993

Vol. 433 No. 2

Written Answers. - Maastricht Treaty.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

104 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the initiatives, if any, he will be taking, legislative or otherwise, to comply with the terms of the Maastricht Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Cowen)

The most important aspect of the Maastricht Treaty in so far as my Department is concerned is the inclusion of a new title on Trans-European Networks (Title XII) which provides for the establishment and development of trans-European networks in the areas of transport, telecommunications and energy infrastructures. The aim is to promote the interconnection and interoperability of national networks as well as access to such networks. Particular account is to be taken of the need to link island, landlocked and peripheral regions with the centre regions of the Community.

In order to achieve these objectives the new Article provides that the Community shall establish a series of guidelines to identify projects of common interest. Discussions are continuing in the Council Working Groups on these draft guidelines and Ireland is participating actively in the work. The projects already included in the guidelines must then be approved by the Council of Ministers and may be eligible for assistance by the EC. Projects in the transport area have been submitted by my Department to the EC Commission for assistance under the new Cohesion Fund.

In the energy sector, discussions to date on the draft guidelines for the development of trans-European networks have recognised the importance of connecting peripheral regions to the Community network and have listed an Ireland-UK electricity interconnector as a priority project. Also listed are a proposed liquified natural gas (LNG) plant and a possible Ireland North/South natural gas link. The feasibility of an electricity interconnector is currently being evaluated.