Vol. 472 No. 8
53 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if any cognisance is taken of the possibility of Great Britain not joining economic and monetary union in regard to the negotiations in relation to a further tranche of EU Structural Funds post-1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21531/96]
The negotiations on the future financing of the Union, including the Structural Funds, will not commence until the conclusion of the Intergovernmental Conference when the Commission will submit a communication on the future financial framework of the Union as from 31 December 1999. This is likely to be in the second half of 1997. Ireland's approach to the negotiations is under active consideration and when the negotiations commence the Government will ensure that Ireland's interests are vigorously and effectively pursued. As far as economic and monetary union is concerned, it is Government policy that Ireland should be among the member states eligible to participate in economic and monetary union from its commencement on 12 January 1999.
