Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The provisions are in last year's Finance Act so it is not necessary to include them in this year's Bill. For some time the Government has been in discussions with the European Union on the State-aid issue and the methods which we can use to input resources. The Minister informs me that those discussions are ongoing and it is hoped they will be completed. The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Deputy Browne and the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, are preparing a package which is under discussion with the Department of Finance. The question whether this plan can be implemented is based on the State-aid issue. If this issue is resolved positively, the Ministers have the plan ready to present to the Department of Finance. The Government is in a position to move on this issue but we must first await the resolution of the question of the ability of the State to put in resources.

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