MEP responds to possible Barroso invitation
12 December 2006
Statement by MEP Jim Allister:
"I note indications that the EU Commission President may invite the party Leaders to Brussels to discuss financial matters in the context of devolution.
I have two comments.
1. Such a joint visit would be premature in advance of arriving at satisfactory arrangements and circumstances making devolution possible.
2. If EU funding is to have a role to play, then it is imperative that it is directed towards solid infrastructure projects and not wasted on soft PEACE-type ventures. Northern Ireland's infrastructure, in terms of roads and water and sewerage, disastrously lost out on direct EU aid under the former Cohesion Policy (because the qualifying criteria was national, not regional), while the Republic of Ireland secured 2B for just such projects. Throughout this period our priority was security spending, because of the IRA terror campaign, and so our infrastructure was grossly neglected.
Thus, our pressing need today is for a massive injection into infrastructure spending, which will itself generate economic activity and make Northern Ireland altogether more attractive for foreign investment. It is to this that any EU aid should be directed. Such would require fundamental amendment of the current Cohesion Fund Regulation. Simply throwing more soft money at the PEACE Programme will bring no appreciable and lasting benefit to Northern Ireland and its people."
