asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the establishment of a special Border counties authority to tackle the economic stagnation in County Louth.

In view of the number of State agencies with various responsibilities for economic development which exist at present. I do not consider it appropriate to establish a special Border counties' authority referred to by the Deputy. As he will be aware, NESC published a document entitled Designation of Areas for Industrial Policy, in September 1985. The purpose of that report was to consider the establishment of objective criteria for determining designation status. As a result the Government will be better informed in relation to areas requiring development on the basis of needs or potential. It is not possible at this stage to indicate when the Government will take any decisions in the matter.