HC Deb 27 April 1995 vol 258 cc701-3W
Rev. Ian Paisley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) management committee and (b) other bodies have been formed in drawing up a strategy to manage the structural funds allocated in Northern Ireland from the Economic Union; who are the members of the committee; who appointed them; and which members have sea fisheries experience. [19921]

Sir John Wheeler

A single programme monitoring committee has been established to oversee the implementation of the single programme under which around £956 million of European structural funds assistance will be available to Northern Ireland for the period 1994–99. Ten informal working committees have also been established to support and advise the SPMC in its role. In addition to Government and European Commission representation on the Committees, there are also a number of outside members who are drawn from relevant key sectors.

In accordance with the structural funds regulations, outside members have been appointed by the member state. This was done following consultation with Departments and on the basis of their background and wide experience. Mr. Ledwidge, a member of the Sea Fish Industry Authority, NI Seafood Ltd. and former chairman of the NI Fishery Harbour Authority has been appointed to the fisheries sub-programme working committee.

As required by the Structural Funds Regulations, a separate monitoring committee will be established for each of the nine community initiative programmes benefiting Northern Ireland. To date five of these programmes have been approved by the European Commission. A monitoring committee has been formally established for one of them, the employment community initiative programme, which was the first one agreed.

The monitoring arrangements for the special initiative for peace and reconciliation will be agreed with the European Commission as part of the negotiation of the programme.

A list of the outside membership for the committees which have been established to date is as follows:

Northern Ireland single programme monitoring committee

  • Mr. S. Curran (Industry sector)
  • Professor R. W. Ewan (Training sector)
  • Ms A. Kilmurray (Voluntary sector)
  • Mr. D. Mitchell (District Councils)
  • Mr. N. Shaw (Agriculture sector)

Economic development sub-programme

  • Mr. B. Johnston—First Trust Bank
  • Professor I. Allen—NI Neuropathology Service, Royal Victoria Hospital
  • Mr. P. Gorecki—NI Economic Council
  • Mr. J. McKinney—Society of Local Authority Chief Executives

Tourism sub-programme

  • Mr. D. Fallows—Society of Local Authority Chief Executives
  • Mr. D. Broderick—Tourism and Hospitality Training Council (NI)
  • Ms P. Morris—Glenavon House Hotel
  • Mr. A. Goan—Belleek Pottery Ltd
  • Mr. I. McQuiston—National Trust

Physical and social environment sub-programme

  • Dr. D. Stephens—Irish Council of Churches
  • Mrs. A. McGinley—Fermanagh District Council
  • Ms M. McWilliams—University of Ulster
  • Mr. S. McAleavey—NI Council for Voluntary Action
  • Mr. J. Redpath—Community Leader

Investment in the development of people sub-programme

  • Ms S. McKee—Cantrell and Cochrane Ltd
  • Ms A. Kilmurray—NI Voluntary Trust
  • Mr. L. Hasson—Austin and Co Ltd, Londonderry
  • Mr. N. McBride—Job Link Training Scheme, Coleraine

Transportation sub-programme

  • Mrs. M. Bell—NI General Consumer Council
  • Mr. J. Irvine—NI Transport Holding Company

Energy sub-programme

  • Mr. W. Napier—Tyrone Brick Ltd
  • Mr. M. Smyth—University of Ulster
  • Ms M. McCloskey—Neighbourhood Energy Action

Agriculture and rural development sub-programme

  • i Agriculture
  • A representative—Ulster Farmers' Union
  • A representative—NI Agricultural Producers Association
  • ii Rural Development
  • Mr. J. Armstrong—Rural Development Council
  • Professor F. Gordon—Agricultural Research Institute for NI

Fisheries sub-programme

  • Mr. F. Ledwidge—NI Seafoods Ltd.

Environmental Services and Protection Sub-programme

  • Professor A. Long—Queen's University, Belfast
  • Dr. C. Carter—University of Ulster

Employment Community Initiative Programme

  • Mrs. J. Smyth—Equal Opportunities Commission
  • Ms M. Wilson—Disability Action
  • Ms S. McKee—Cantrell and Cockrane Ltd
  • Ms A. Kilmurray—NI Voluntary Trust
  • Mr. L. Hasson—Austin and Co Ltd, Londonderry
  • Mr. N. McBride—Job Link Training Scheme, Coleraine