The overall Community Support Framework Mid Term Review package, which included both the industry and human resources OPs, was approved by the Government following intensive negotiations with the European Commission. The main priorities for additional resources which were identified in those negotiations were:
— National Roads
— Industry Research and Development
— Long Term Unemployed, including Early School Leavers
— Information Society
— Farmyard Pollution
— The Environment.
I am satisified that the financial amendments to the industry operational programme and the human resources operational programme reflect the priority accorded to both research and development and long-term unemployed and early school leavers in the CSF mid term review process.