David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I am pleased to speak briefly on this important Bill. As Deputy Richard Bruton stated earlier in the debate, Fine Gael supports this Bill. The Council of Europe Development Bank was established in 1956. It is the oldest international financial institution in Europe and the only one with an exclusively social vocation. My interest in this Bill stems from its social vocation. Its main field of action involves strengthening social integration, such as aid to refugees, migrants and displaced populations. Social housing seems to be high on its list of priorities and much of the bank's money has been dispersed in the area of social housing. What medium and long-term plans has the Government to avail of the bank's borrowing facilities to assist social housing in this country? I note that the Minister did not allude to this in his initial speech.

Some of the largest borrowers from the bank include France, Germany, Italy and Spain. In 2003 France borrowed €50 million, Germany €115 million and Italy €242 million. The larger countries seem to borrow the most and are also probably the largest contributors to the bank. It is an important institution. Ireland plans to become more integrated in Europe and its use of this bank and other institutions is a means of doing so. I am concerned whether the Government has any plans to use the bank's facilities to aid refugees, migrants or Travellers. A stated mission of the bank is to strengthen social integration.

The bank is also involved in managing the environment and in preventative action in natural and ecological disasters. Last week during the Adjournment debate in the House I was allowed by the Ceann Comhairle to raise an issue of coastal erosion. The Minister has replied to me on a number of occasions that it is not possible for the Government to protect private property and land holdings from invasion by the sea. That subject should be examined because increasing damage is being caused by the sea, particularly in areas such as east Cork in my constituency where a large area of farmland is under threat from the sea. As the Minister of State is no doubt aware, when salt water lands on agricultural land, the land becomes useless. Will the Government investigate the possibility of using the services of this bank to fund a new scheme of coastal defences where necessary and where it is not possible to do so using any other method?

I note this bank will provide funding to preserve historic and cultural heritage. I am interested to hear of any Government plans in this regard. The Council of Europe Development Bank had assets of €14.2 billion at the end of 2002. Ireland is set to become the 36th member. The social housing sector presents a problem throughout the country. Other countries have used the services of the bank to assist in social housing needs. Has the Government any similar plans? In 2003 the bank approved two schemes in Portugal and Sweden amounting to €55.4 million. In Portugal a project totalling €50 million will provide for the partial financing of the construction of social housing and renovation of existing units by towns, municipal bodies, co-operatives and associations for the construction and management of social housing by private developers. Something similar happened in Sweden. A loan programme amounting to €5 million out of a total of €108 million was approved recently. That will make it possible to finance, at an advantageous cost, various instruments for housing infrastructure carried out by local communities and companies either owned or guaranteed by Swedish municipalities. They are responsible for providing social housing for low income families and for those who, by reason of age or handicap, must have access to specially equipped housing. Difficulties have arisen here in the administration of the disabled person's grant and the essential repairs grant schemes, an area that needs to be examined.

In Denmark, a €100 million loan was given in favour of Danish local authorities to provide for the construction and renovation of public housing intended for the elderly throughout the country. Something similar was done in Italy in respect of related infrastructures intended for immigrant workers, young families and the elderly. I could name other countries but that appears to be one of the issues for which the bank is being used.

In respect of disadvantaged urban areas in Finland, a loan programme of €25 million, of a total approved of €50 million, was established, again through the local authorities. That is something on which I would like to hear the Government's views.

In Spain, two projects were approved and partially financed. These were to do with cultural infrastructure, in which I am particularly interested. Perhaps the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, who is responsible for the Office of Public Works, will examine that with his colleague, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism — we no longer have a Minister for culture, which appears to have disappeared off the radar — because many towns in particular do not have cultural centres. They do not have places where youngsters can go and play music or get involved in Irish dancing, céilithe and so on. We must empower local authorities to develop that area, which would not be difficult, because it would provide an outlet for youngsters. The criticism is often made that many teenagers have nothing to do at night and nowhere to go, yet with a little imagination and money we could develop centres in our towns. The people in these towns are crying out for a little support to do that, and a small amount could go a long way.

Ireland has a tradition of people getting involved in drama societies. I am aware that in Spain, this bank was used to finance the construction of cultural buildings such as theatres, concert halls and libraries in rural areas. That is something we should examine. I am not sure whether we can use the services of the bank or whether the Government has plans to do that. If the Government does not want to use the services of the bank to do that, perhaps it should finance it from its own resources.

I understand a new four year development plan has been put forward by the bank, that it was approved in mid-2004 and will be in force from January 2005. Will the Minister indicate whether it has been approved, when it will come into force and what is involved in it? It would be of interest to us to know that information.

I note the Government has been criticised for its lack of support for the Traveller community, particularly in respect of health, halting sites and so on. I am aware this bank has, been used by other countries to help their migrant citizens with such difficulties. I do not know whether the Government intends to do anything like that, but it would be interesting to know.

It is a good move to become involved with this bank because it can provide opportunities for us to access finance to use in a positive and imaginative way. It also allows us become more involved with other countries in Europe and to strengthen solidarity across Europe. I welcome the Bill, which we support. I wish it a speedy passage through the House.

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