Bairbre de Brún welcomes EU report on the role of state aid in promoting regional development

13 December, 2005

Bairbre de Brún MEP

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has today welcomed an EU report to the European Parliament on the use of state aid in promoting regional development.

Ms de Brún is due to deliver a speech to the EU Parliament this evening where Milos Koterec’s report on ‘The role of state aid as a tool of regional development’ will be formally discussed.

Speaking today Ms de Brún said :

“State Aid needs to be viewed as a positive contribution to the promotion of economic and social cohesion on a regional basis.

“I want to particularly welcome the report’s assertion that the ‘natural effects’ region should be eligible for a more flexible regime of state aid in the future. It is particularly important that a bottom up approach to the design and implementation of future funding is sought and that a set of properly funded programmes are in place to ensure that areas are not left behind as the economy develops and improves. Regional imbalances

should not be taken for granted, and we need to continue striving for equality of treatment for disadvantaged regions throughout Ireland, and in particular the North West.