Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Government will in future commit itself to supporting the European Parliament amendment which adds to the remit of the EGTC/EGCCs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5426/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The European Commission has the right to initiate legislation in this area and has not proposed the introduction of such an amendment. The Government will consider all proposals brought forward by the European Commission and the Presidency to amend the draft regulation.

The Government supports the introduction of the draft regulation to provide for the establishment of European groupings of territorial co-operation, EGTC. The objective of this regulation is to facilitate and promote cross-border, transnational and/or inter-regional co-operation where this has proved difficult. The EGTC will help by providing a framework within which measures to reduce these difficulties can be addressed. The EGTC will be a co-operation instrument at the community level with the aim of strengthening economic and social cohesion in the regions involved. The regulation will allow the creation of co-operative groupings in the community territory and give them legal personality. Security and regulatory powers exercised by regional and local authorities as public authorities are excluded from the regulation.

I welcome the contribution of the European Parliament to the preparation of this regulation and to the suggestions made with respect to extending its scope. Some of these suggestions have been taken on board in discussions on the regulation within the Council working group charged with its preparation. I have some reservations with respect to certain aspects of the regulation, particularly where these relate to the role of the member state in the establishment of an EGTC.