Vol. 528 No. 3
105 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 76 of 16 November 2000, the progress in obtaining European Commission approval for the proposed commercial designation under the town renewal scheme. [30121/00]
As the Deputy is aware, my Department formally notified the European Commission of the business elements of the new town renewal scheme on 19 July 2000 around the same time as the specific towns selected for the scheme were announced by the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government. The Commission responded on 6 September 2000 with a request for additional information. The matter was discussed in detail at recent meetings with the Commission and a reply is currently being prepared. As things stand at present, it appears that it will take some more months before the business tax incentives elements of the scheme will be approved by the commission. Such a delay is normal where Commission approval is concerned. My Department is continuing to work with the European Commission to ensure the expeditious approval of the business elements of the town renewal scheme.
