asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why his plans to avail of EEC aids under the directives of March, 1972, for farm development plans, farm education, socio-economic advice, group farming and other farm development measures have not yet been published; if it is intended to consult the farming organisations or the House of the Oireachtas on the plans prior to their submission to the EEC; the expected date of their submission; and the target date for their coming into operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Farm Aids.
36.
The preparation of plans for implementation of these directives is proceeding and my Department have had a number of clarification discussions on the directives with the EEC Commission in recent months. Our draft proposals will be discussed with farm organisations and other interested bodies before being submitted to the EEC. Until these discussions have been completed it is not possible to say what the submission date is likely to be or how long it may take the EEC to clear them but our intention is to bring them into operation as early as possible in 1973.
Is it not the case that these directives were agreed in April of this year and that they should come into operation in April of next year in this country, that money will be available to us if we have the scheme from April of next year but that because of delay in the Department we are not likely to get the money to which we are entitled because the scheme will not be ready by April?
We are not losing anything and there is no delay in having it ready.
We are entitled to receive the money from April next.
Deputy Bruton is endeavouring to discuss every question on the Order Paper.