Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 7

Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Areas.

Paul McGrath

Question:

209 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when he expects the survey of areas under the appeals system for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas to be completed; when he expects to make a submission to Brussels for the extension of the disadvantaged areas; and if he will confirm that any area which meets the criteria to the satisfaction of the appeals tribunal will be certain of being classified as disadvantaged.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The current survey of areas under appeal will be completed before the end of March when the task of processing the very large amount of data on computer will commence. When the processing is completed in the autumn, the appeals panel will be in a position to make recommendations to my Department as to the areas to be included in a submission to Brussels. The final decision on areas to be classified as disadvantaged rests with the EC Commission.