Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise. I overlooked that question. In respect of development in west Cork, the strategy submitted by the two parties in respect of west Cork was of a very high standard but the strategy submitted by the West Cork LCDC scored highest, as the Vice Chairman is aware. The European Commission has confirmed that the West Cork Development Partnership has made two complaints to it about the selection process in Cork. The first complaint relates to a suggestion that the €1.25 million community development initiative, which Cork County Council agreed to make available to the West Cork LCDC and not the local action group, LAG, amounts to state aid. The Department does not believe that there are any state aid issues associated with this funding but has been assisting the Commission with its consideration of the complaint by providing responses to specific queries. The Commission has not provided the Department with details regarding the second complaint. I will check the issue relating to the opening of an office in Clonakilty and get back to the Acting Chairman because I do not know the answer. In the meantime, the West Cork LCDC is delivering the programme.