Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 3

Written Answers. - National Development Plan.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

116 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will state for that section of the national development plan for which his Department has responsibility of implementation, the relevant sections and division of the EU Commission which are involved in assisting and or monitoring the implementation of aspects of the plan with his Department; the name of the senior EU official with responsibility for that role; the number of meetings that have taken place since the publication of the plan between officials of his Department and the relevant officials of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5604/01]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

117 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will state for that section of the national development plan for which he has responsibility for its implementation, the number of consultants who have been hired by his Department to assist with the design or implementation of the plan; the projects upon which they are engaged; the cost of those projects; the approximate professional fee cost which the consultants will be charging his Department on completion of the consultancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5619/01]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

118 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the aspect of the national development plan for which his Department has responsibility; the precise number of projects which are a part of that section of the plan for which his Department has responsibility; the number of personnel in his Department who are working full-time and part-time on the plan; their grade within the Civil Service; the budgeted cost for each project; the time table for its implementation; the present stage which it is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5635/01]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

119 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of groups, both statutory and non-statutory but excluding local authorities, with which his Department is in regular contact or consultation in respect of the implementation of that section of the national development plan for which his Department has responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5654/01]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

120 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline, in respect of that section of the national development plan for which his Department has responsibility, the number of potential public-private partnerships that have been identified; the number that are under active consideration; the name, location and potential cost of such projects; if any exchange of letters has taken place; if any other initial firm commitment has been entered into with prospective private providers; the approximate capital value of all projects so identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5680/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 to 120, inclusive, together.

My Department has no direct responsibility for the implementation of the national development plan. However, it retains a policy interest in chapter 9 of the plan which addresses co-operation with Northern Ireland. This chapter, which is common to the EU Structural Funds plans, North and South, seeks to set out a strategic framework for building and developing North-South co-operation in all its forms. The Special European Union Programmes Body, which is one of the six all-island Implementation bodies established pursuant to the Good Friday Agreement and which operates under the direction of the North-South Ministerial Council, is responsible for monitoring and promoting the implementation of the common chapter.

In addition to this North-South dimension, my Department is acutely aware of the need to publicise internationally the infrastructural opportunities that will arise under the national development plan. It is accordingly participating in the Government's work of examining how best the promotion of the plan overseas can be assisted by the Department's network of diplomatic missions.