asked the Minister for Lands if the review of Land Commission policy has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
71.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Commission Policy Review.
70.
asked the Minister for Lands the progress that has been made during the past three months towards finalising draft EEC directives regarding modernisation of farms and incentives to leave farming.
(Cavan): With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together,
Considerable progress has been made in the last few months towards finalising draft schemes under the EEC structural reform directives. As the Deputy is aware, formulation of a scheme for the modernisation of farms is largely the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries but I am aware that such a draft scheme has been prepared and has already been discussed with farming organisations. A draft scheme under the directive on encouragement to leave farming has been prepared in the Land Commission and is at present being studied by other interested Departments.
It will be appreciated that the application to this country of these EEC directives raises many complex issues of policy and finance. The major items involved have been the subject of in-depth examination by interDepartmental committees and their proposals have been under prolonged scrutiny in a number of Departments. A comprehensive submission on all these matters will be made to the Government as soon as possible.
Of course the review of Land Commission policy is a continuous process the main objective being to harmonise our activities with the still developing structural reform programme of the EEC. In this connection too the implementation of a dynamic regional development policy under the aegis of the EEC is a significant factor and adds a further dimension to the situation.
Question No. 72 postponed.