There are a number of recommendations that I would like to forward to the plenary session today for inclusion in the final 1995 EU budget.

Firstly, with the intergovernmental conference to review the EU Treaty due to be held in 1996, there should be an increased allocation of funds to assist the dissemination of information in European issues. In particular, the funding for setting up more European business information centres in Objective 1 regions, such as Ireland, should be increased. Presently there are only six such centres in Ireland, which is not enough to meet the needs of interested parties and businesses seeking the requisite details on the European grants and loan system.

One of the general criticisms that was voiced strongly when the Maastricht Treaty was being negotiated and ratified was that there was a lack of information and a lack of consultation with the wider public on many intricate European issues. I strongly believe that the public must feel they are being adequately consulted on issues that will be reviewed and analysed when the Single European Act and the Maastricht Treaty are reviewed in 1996.

We in Parliament have a golden opportunity to ensure that the information deficit is now eliminated.

We must now guarantee that the European Parliament increases its allocation of funds to facilities that will effectively disseminate information on all the various European issues.