John Bruton
Ceist:9 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details of any written communications he has had in the past three months with the President of the European Commission. [17573/98]
Ceisteanna — Questions. - European Commission Correspondence.
I have received two letters from President Santer in the last three months. The first was in response to a letter I sent him on 14 July to express the Government's concern about the suspension of budget lines, specifically those relating to poverty and social exclusion. President Santer replied on 7 September outlining the reasons for the Commission's action and indicating that "implementation of these headings may be resumed as preparatory measures" in the context of ratification of the Amsterdam Treaty. I am particularly pleased about the progress on this issue which came about due to Ireland's initiative at the Budget Council on 17 July for which we received written thanks from the NGOs originally affected by the suspension of funding.
I received a second letter from President Santer on 17 August when he wrote to express his sympathy and that of the European Commission for the outrage in Omagh.
Has funding for these measures resumed on the basis of an anticipated ratification of the Amsterdam Treaty?
Funding has resumed.
Is the Taoiseach satisfied there are no other difficulties arising from inadequate financial authority for expenditures by the European Union?
There are none that I am aware of.