MEP responds to Commissioner Hubner meeting
09 June 2007
Statement by Jim Allister MEP:
"I welcomed the opportunity to discuss a broad range of issues with the Regional Commissioner. Having had her detail the terms of reference of the Task Force, I expressed disappointment that it was confined to providing more efficient access and effect out of funds and policies for which Northern Ireland is already eligible, and did not extend to seeking new sources of funding. In this regardI stressed that the real need was funding for strategic infrastructural projects in roads, rail and water & sewage. I reminded her that the PEACE Programme was the product of a specific initiative by Brussels and that a specific infrastructure fund for Northern Ireland could equally be established, if the political will existed.
I discussed with her a range of practical steps which the Commission could take to help Northern Ireland, including fast-tracking the pending applications for special geographical status for "Northern Ireland Beef" and "Northern Ireland Lamb", and swift approval of the submitted Rural development Programme."
