asked the Minister for Finance in respect of Proposal COM (84) 715 final to amend Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2169/80, if he will state the number of ECUs available under the proposal: and the projects on which it is proposed to spend them.

Proposal COM (84) 715 final provides for a contribution of 48 million ECU from the non-quota section of the European Regional Development Fund to supplement the measures for the Border areas of Ireland and Northern Ireland which have already been aided under Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2169/80. Of the 48 million ECU, 32 million is proposed for Ireland and 16 million for Northern Ireland.

It is proposed to use the 32 million ECU which would be available to Ireland as a contribution towards the cost of providing a natural gas supply by pipeline to viable centres in the border counties and related measures to promote the use of the gas.