asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food whether he will expand and accelerate the proposals for integrated rural development in the light of the decisions of the European Council.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Integrated Rural Development.
5.
Work on an integrated rural development programme is very well advanced and I should be in a position to make an announcement on the matter in the near future. As indicated in the Programme for National Recovery, it is the intention to introduce the programme on a pilot basis in a number of representative areas initially. The extension of the programme nationally will then be based on the experience gained in the pilot areas.
It is of course, also the intention to maximise the Community's financial participation in the programme. In this regard, I am very pleased with the decision taken at the recent European Council, particularly as regards the Community's structural funds and the special provision for Ireland recorded in the minutes of the European Council.
Does the Minister agree that there is a total lack of urgency on the part of the Government in taking advantage of the possibilities which arise under the proposed dumping of the structural fund? Does he also agree it is appalling that, despite the decision of the European Council, we still do not seem to have Government policy in this area? If he is talking about the establishment of pilot areas, which I understand might run for two years, is it not delaying the national approach to wait that long before we have a well thought out, clearly co-ordinated national policy?
I totally disagree with the notion that there is a lack of urgency on the part of the Government. Let me put it on the record that it was this Government, and I representing this Government, who pushed and promoted this idea at the Council of Ministers. As a consequence of my constant pushing, this proposal was adopted by the Council of Ministers and subsequently brought to the European Council where it was adopted, with terms which were very specific in respect of Ireland. We had a specific reference to Ireland recorded in the minutes on terms acceptable to us.
As far as dealy in implementing the decision of the European Council is concerned, the Deputy will be aware that that matter has to be pursued by way of Council regulation. The European Council is not an institution of the Community. It is the highest level of heads of Government, but it has to consider the regulation. I hope it will be on the agenda at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers in March. In advance of that we have plans in my Department, which I hope to announce shortly, for the pilot areas.
I hope it is clear that, far from delaying, we have been to the forefront in this area and, as soon as it comes to the Council of Ministers we will be ready to act immediately.
I want to know exactly what integrated rural development is, and how it will be implemented. We do not seem to have a policy in this area. In fact, there does not seem to be any clear idea as to what integrated rural development means. Perhaps this calls for a White Paper because there is no clear concept. Merely establishing pilot areas may be part of the answer, but it is not the complete answer. Another point I want to raise is whether the proposal, in so far as there has been any clear thinking on it, involves a centralised approach to integrated rural development either from the point of view of policy initiatives or structures. Will there be provisions for a multi-sectoral approach which involves groups in the rural areas making the proposals to be implemented through structures on the ground as opposed to a centralised approach? I see that as being very important.
I can assure the Deputy that the thrust is, and will be, for a decentralised as distinct from a centralised approach. The plans are very far advanced. There is not much point in announcing proposals in respect of a regulation which has not yet been adopted by the Council of Ministers. The Government are aware of this and we are ready. We are looking at a range of areas, not just agriculture in the conventional sense but at land usage, rural development, management of rural enterprises, and so on. I hope we are on the same lines as the Deputy with this, but he will appreciate that I cannot go any further now until the regulation comes into place.
I want to ask——
I am sorry Deputy but I am calling the next question. We have dealt with only five questions in 30 minutes. That is not good enough.
I am entitled to ask a question.
Other Deputies are also entitled to answers to their questions. Question No. 6.