Vol. 456 No. 7
27 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason his stated priority policy of obtaining approval for the extension and reclassification of the disadvantaged area scheme and the provision of accompanying additional resources for such an extension and reclassification this year, as per his reply to a parliamentary question on 16 February 1995, has failed. [14546/95]
64 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when an announcement will be made on the reclassification of disadvantaged areas; and the reason for the delay since the submission to the EU in October 1994. [11845/95]
119 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when a decision will be received from the EU on the reclassification of more severely and handicapped areas in counties Monaghan and Cavan. [14742/95]
120 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the current position regarding disadvantaged areas and reclassification submissions to the EU; when a decision is likely to be made as the delay in finalisation is causing financial loss and uncertainty for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12217/95]
121 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when the results of the disadvantaged areas appeals panel for the reclassification of more severely handicapped areas will be made available. [12843/95]
122 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the current position in relation to the disadvantaged areas appeals tribunal report which he promised to issue in the month of July 1995, and which, has not been issued to date. [12987/95]
123 Mr. Hyland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will take immediate steps to get a decision on Ireland's disadvantaged areas application; and if he will at this stage give some indication as to when that decision is expected in view of the lengthy and unnecessary delay since the application was submitted. [13499/95]
128 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the acreage of land that met the criteria for disadvantaged status under the appeals system following an enlargement of disadvantaged areas in this country; the areas that were successful; if he will allow a further appeal to accommodate those threatened with leaving their land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14418/95]
147 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason for the delay in relation to his stated top priority in answer to parliamentary questions on 16 February 1995, of obtaining approval for the extension and reclassification of the disadvantaged areas scheme and the provision of accompanying extra resources for such an extension and reclassification this year. [14697/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 64, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 128 and 147 together: The Irish Government made submissions to the EU Commission on the extension of the disadvantaged areas and the reclassification of certain areas from less severely to more severely handicapped area status in November 1993 and October 1994 respectively. The Commission asked for clarification of some aspects of the submissions and for some additional information to assist in its examination of the proposals, and our response was transmitted to the Commission on 14 April 1995. A number of meetings have since taken place at offical level to discuss various aspects of these proposals.
The current situation is that the Commission services have completed their analysis on the reclassification dossier and expect to make a proposal on this to the Agricultural Structures and Rural Development (STAR) Committee in the near future.
