Vol. 471 No. 7
109 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has during Ireland's Presidency of the EU to address the shortfall in the committed funds to the EU special programme for the regions in Northern Ireland and in the Republic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21656/96]
The European Parliament Budget Committee voted on 9 October to recommend to Parliament a reduction in commitment appropriations of 100 mecu for the Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in the draft 1997 budget. Following high-level representations by the Government, the budget committee decided to amend the proposal and restore the level of funding which had been agreed by the Budget Council on 25 July.
I am happy to tell the Deputy that the Budget Council, at its meeting yesterday, confirmed the agreement that funding for the programme will be included in the 1997 budget as originally provided.
