Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Let me consider the concept of conditionality in respect of the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. An explanatory memorandum states: "Article 21 of the CSF Regulation provides for rules on conditionality linked to the coordination of the Member States' economic policies, including the possible suspension of commitments and payments for programmes supported from the Funds covered by the Common Strategic Framework." In other words, if the targets dictated from Europe on budget deficits, for example, are not met, the funds can be cut as a punishment or sanction. Is that the officials' understanding?