This matter relates to proposals to slash moneys from the peace and reconciliation fund. It emanates from the European Parliament Budgetary Committee and is sponsored by the Socialist Group of which the Labour Party is a member. We abhor what happened. Many people, including Ms Bernie Malone, are saying this is a housekeeping exercise because the uptake on the money is slow and, ultimately, we will not lose the overall figure.
Why has the uptake of this money been slow? It is because of the system that has been set up by this Government in respect of the disbursement of that money in the Border areas. The Government involved ADM, which was quite right, but the Combat Poverty Agency was brought in by somebody for a reason. All sides of the House have been vociferous in their attitude as to how best this money could be spent; 20 per cent of the money was to be spent in Border areas. We have had all party meetings to try to insist that a portion of this money be diverted into the Borer areas to provide a proper industrial infrastructure. These areas have suffered as much, and in some cases even more, than the North, but there is huge Exchequer backing in the North which is not found in the southern Border counties. This is required in these areas to assist peace and reconciliation. This issue is relevant to my constituency, but there are areas along the Border outside my constituency which are in even more need of a proper industrial infrastructure to entice business.
On the question of the task force on funding arrangements in the Border region, the Minister of State, Deputy Carey, was given responsibility for the Border areas and I often wonder if he knows what his job is in that regard. This report is a farce and was expensive. It tells us about the funds that are available. We already know about them. The only recommendation is that these funds should have a distinct identity, there should be a better application form and perhaps more leaflets to inform people about them. Unfortunately, the existence of these funds builds up a huge expectation in the people along the Border. When people come to apply for these funds, they find that they are designed for some airy-fairy schemes and not something that is really needed in the Border areas.