Mr. Kyle O'Sullivan:

We have prioritised the Globalisation Adjustment Fund in which a large number of member states are equally interested. However, two problems arise. The first is that it is being squeezed in the context of the amounts available. As the size of the overall budget is being cut, CAP and cohesion funding tend to be protected. However, all other items are continually being trimmed. It is also subject to some uncertainty because the regulation relating to the fund must be renewed this year. There is a blocking minority of member states who are opposing this at present but Ireland is obviously not among these countries. As a result, there is uncertainty in this regard. It is identified in our list of six or seven national priorities and we will continue to prioritise it. From our point of view, anything which is-----