asked the Minister for Finance if the Government will now consider seeking EC funds to undertake a feasibility study with a view to putting together an integrated development plan for the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

24.

asked the Minister for Finance if the Government intend to introduce and implement regional policies which would attract EC regional fund money to finance integrated development plans, public swimming pools and various local authority schemes in the western countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 24 together.

The Government are at present reviewing policy in relation to integrated development operations in the EC context. Until this review has been completed, it would be premature to consider specific proposals for integrated development plans for any particular area, or preparatory studies for such plans.

Has any proposal been submitted to the Government in respect of an integrated programme for any part of Ireland? Is it not a fact that an integrated programme would allow us to benefit over and above our national quota which is a fixed quota, that other countries are benefiting from integrated programmes submitted, and that we are not?

It is for each country to consider whether or not an integrated programme would suit its needs in respect of a region. The approach followed by Ireland in regard to the Regional Fund under successive Governments has been that Ireland is seen as one region for Regional Fund purposes. There is no foundation, to the best of the information available to me, for the Deputy's contention that we would get more money by submitting integrated arrangements.

Would the Minister refer to the Director General of the Commission for Regional Funds who will disabuse him of that information. If the Minister thinks a designated regional area cannot have an integrated programme, is the Minister aware that the first integrated programme in the European Community was for Naples which is in a region——

How can the Deputy consider that a question?

I will explain. The Minister said that, if one has a regional quota, it is not appropriate to have an integrated programme.

Will the Deputy make his speech about that some place else?

Is the Minister aware that Naples is within a designated region and it still has proposed an integrated programme? That is why I am asking the Government if they will consider doing it here.

I did not say it might not be appropriate for individual countries to submit an integrated programme if it suits them. I said there was no evidence to suggest that one would get more money by submitting intergated programmes. That is not to say that integrated programmes might not be beneficial in Italy for Italian needs.

The Minister does not know.

They have not been considered a good idea here by successive Governments.

The Minister does not know.

Question No. 15.