Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will directly facilitate a meeting with the Special European Union Programmes Body and the North-South Ministerial Council with a view to securing SEUPB funding for ferry services (details supplied) that will generate significant tourism revenue for the Exchequer in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5120/09]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will facilitate a meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council with the Special European Union Programmes Body regarding the Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly ferries in view of the fact that it was stated in Dáil Éireann on 4 February 2009 that the issue has no home Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5164/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 169 together.

I should firstly point out that, in relation to the evaluation and selection of projects, the SEUPB is bound to follow the structures and processes set out in the Operational Programme, as approved by the European Commission, which provides 75% funding for the entire INTERREG IVA Programme. In this regard, individual project applications are a matter for the relevant Project Steering Committees of the INTERREG IVA Programme. The SEUPB has a role on such Steering Committees, through the Joint Technical Secretariat, which chairs the meetings and which provides relevant project assessments. The Deputy will be aware that the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) has no direct function in relation to the assessment of individual project applications.

The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is the Managing Authority for the Peace III and INTERREG IVA EU-funded cross-border Programmes. The INTERREG IVA Programme 2007-2013 has allocated indicative budgets to various themes, whose eligible area comprises of Northern Ireland, the Southern border counties and western Scotland. This includes a Tourism theme, which has an allocation of €30 million, and a Rural Development theme, which has an allocation of €10 million. I understand that, while the Tourism theme is currently closed for applications and most of its budget has already been committed in principle, the Rural Development theme will be open for applications later in the year and that this may offer an opportunity for funding of the type mentioned by the Deputies. I understand that the Body is open to discuss the application process with any eligible applicant or anyone acting on their behalf.