Leaked Government proposals to set up two new regional authorities to administer EU structural funds have been criticised as "a minimal attempt at devolving power" and "an ad-hoc response to a Brussels directive".
The criticism came from the "15-County Committee", a lobby group of representatives from the north west region being recommended by the Government to the EU as an Objective 1 area for structural funding.
The committee yesterday launched a 70-page report outlining its proposals for structures to implement regional development.
Ms Marion Harkin, the chairwoman of the committee, said that "nothing seen or heard from political circles gives us any real hope that the changes necessary to achieve real economic cohesion are being planned or will be implemented".
The Government proposals, which were leaked to the media last week and are due to be discussed by the Cabinet over the coming days, were drawn up by officials in response to concerns in Brussels about the extent of financial devolution in the Republic.
The entire remit of the two regional authorities, one for the 15-county "Objective 1" area and the other for the remaining 11 counties, would be the handling of EU structural funds. County councillors would sit on the boards and there would be a small staff appointed to each.
Ms Harkin said she believed these authorities would have "no real power" and that it was clear the Government was trying to put in place "the minimum requirements" for Brussels.
The 15-County Committee report, which was launched in Sligo, recommends the appointment of a minister for the regions, and the establishment of a joint Oireachtas Committee on regional policy.
Ms Harkin said the key point of their proposals was that there be "real devolution of power", which would mean the new regional authorities "making decisions regarding how and where money is spent and on regional priorities".
There would be a "continuum of structures" from county level, to sub-regional authorities (corresponding to the existing regional authorities), to two new regional authorities. All would be based on the principle of partnership.
Membership would comprise not just elected representatives, but also representatives of the voluntary and community sector, State agencies and the social partners. Ms Harkin said this principle of partnership had worked very well nationally and was also favoured by Brussels.
Ms Harkin said the committee was not recommending that all decision-making should lie with the regional authorities but was advocating a joint implementation body between them and relevant Government departments.
She said such structures were necessary if the increasing gap between the wealth of the different regions was to be tackled. After five years of EU structural funds, that gap was wider in 1996 than in 1991. "All of our politicians say this is the way we should go, but in practice it doesn't happen. It is all rhetoric. It is cosmetic," Ms Harkin said.
