asked the Minister for Agriculture the negotiations that have taken place with the EEC since 1979 about the further extension of the more severely handicapped areas; and the date or dates on which discussions took place.
Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Areas.
379.
The outcome of the second national review of the boundaries of the disadvantaged areas was announced early in 1981 and it is assumed that the Deputy's inquiry relates to any negotiations which might have taken place since then about further adjustments to the disadvantaged areas, including the more severely handicapped parts of those areas.
Informal discussions were held with commission officials on this subject early in 1982 and on a number of occasions subsequently, but more formal negotiations will have to await the outcome of the boundary review which is at present being carried out. In the latter connection I would refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave on 15 February to a question on this subject.