asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a proposal has been sent to the EEC Commission proposing that a joint area embracing the Counties of Donegal, Derry and Tyrone, be designated as an integrated area to receive the maximum involvement by the EEC through their various funds; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.

No Irish Government have made a formal proposal to the European Commission that a joint area embracing Counties Donegal, Derry and Tyrone be designated as an integrated area.

Is the Minister aware that a survey was carried out in relation to the social and economic problems prevailing in that area and that it has been established that it is the most impoverished area in western Europe with an unemployment rate of 38 per cent? Does the Minister not consider that his Department and the Government should be making proposals in order to alleviate the chronic unemployment situation which prevails there and extracting from the non-quota section of the regional fund the maximum amount of money in order to deal with the problem?

This is tied up with the next question. Obviously there have been studies with regard to this area. The Deputy's question was specifically to know if the proposal had been sent to the Commission to designate the area as an integrated area. My information is that no such proposal has been made to the European Commission. Apparently this idea was talked about by the previous Government but nothing happened. Obviously, because of the problems of the area to which the Deputy refers, it is a matter which now requires to be followed up.

Does the Minister agree that there are at least four areas which we could identify, port development, a duty-free manufacturing industrial zone, a co-ordinated tourist development programme and promotion of reduced energy costs, for this area? These are four areas that would merit attention in relation to being able to do something for the chronic unemployment and the poverty in that area.

I agree with the Deputy that the problems of that area require special attention. If that attention can be given from European sources an approach should be made.

32.