§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the negotiations within the European Union regarding Objective 1 status for Northern Ireland. [59539]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyUnder the draft Structural Funds Regulations which have been published by the European Commission, the qualifying economic criterion for Objective 1 is a GDP of under 75 per cent. of EU average. If this criterion is rigidly applied, as currently seems likely to be the case, Northern Ireland would not qualify for a continuation of its Objective 1 status. However, there are good reasons for Northern Ireland to continue to receive substantial EU funding and every effort will be made in the ongoing negotiations to secure the best possible deal, commensurate with its special circumstances, to help in adapting the region's economy to peace both economically and socially.