asked the Minister for Agriculture the reasons for the delay in launching the £300 million EEC programme approved for the development of farming in the west of Ireland.
30.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - West of Ireland Farm Development.
29.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the reason for the delay in the implementation of the £300 million western aid package.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 30 together.
The increased aids included in the western package for marketing and processing projects are already in operation.
The remaining measures in the package are to be carried out within the framework of a detailed programme drawn up by the Government and approved by the EEC Commission. The programme has been with the Commission for some time and consultations on its content are taking place. Once the programme has been approved it will be implemented without delay.
Is the Minister aware that his predecessor stated many times in this House and outside it that the £300 million western aid package would come into operation on 1 January 1981?
The Deputy will be aware that this package was approved only on 17 July 1980 and it subsequently involved preparation of a very comprehensive and complicated programme of infrastructural and other developments for the western area. It was very important to go into detail in order to ensure the success of the programme. At the same time there are continuing negotiations between my Department and the EEC and there will be no delay in putting the package into operation once it is approved.
Can the Minister say when he hopes the package will be introduced and in operation?
We are confident that it will be in operation by 1 April.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the contents of the interim report of the Review Body on Teachers' Pay and the resignation of its members.
I will communicate with the Deputy.