asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will indicate the boundaries of the areas in County Limerick to which it is proposed to apply the special system of aids provided for in Article 4 of EEC Council Directive on mountain and hill farming in certain less favoured areas; and the special aids that will apply in the areas concerned in County Limerick.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mountain Farming Aid.
51.
The areas at present approved by the Council of Ministers for the purposes of this Directive include an area of the Galtee Mountains which falls within County Limerick. It comprises parts of the District Electoral Divisions of Anglesboro, Kilbehenny, Knocknascrow and Riversdale where mountain sheep production is a feature of the farming pattern.
Details of the aids which will apply in the various areas designated under the directive are at present being considered and I expect to be in a position to announce these shortly.
The Parliamentary Secretary says "shortly". How soon is "shortly"?
I think it could be defined as within a few months.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary give us any indication as to the amount of these special aids?
As I said, an announcement on these will be made shortly.
Are any other areas in Limerick being considered?
It is true to say other areas are being considered but I cannot say what the end result will be.
They could be included.
There is that possibility.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary issue to Members particulars of the designated areas when that information is available in view of the number of questions which are being asked about these?
That is a separate question.
That will be done.