Vol. 472 No. 4
82 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Finance when the monitoring committee last met to oversee implementation of the INTERREG programme; if it has satisfied itself that the principle of additionality in the Border region is being adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23449/96]
The joint monitoring committee for the Ireland-Northern Ireland INTERREG programme 1994-9 meets at least twice a year. It last met on 14 June 1996 in Armagh and its next meeting is scheduled for 6 December in Monaghan.
The committee is composed of representatives of the two administrations, the European Commission, the sectoral Departments charged with implementing the various measures of the programme and relevant representative interests. The chairman of the Border Regional Authority is an ex officio member of the monitoring committee.
The monitoring committee ensures that any concerns regarding the operation of the programme are addressed. It has no such concerns in relation to the additionality of actions under INTERREG. There are, inevitably, perceptual problems and these are addressed as they arise. At a special meeting involving the Border Regional Authority's EU operational committee in July last my Department, in conjunction with Esben Poulsen of DG XVI, involved the operational committee in an ongoing process which will have the effect of bringing greater clarity to the question of the additionality of EU funding to the region.
