Vol. 433 No. 1
61 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will establish a rural development council consisting of the main rural groups such as the IFA and ICA, as well as Government Departments, to promote the development of rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am currently reviewing the implementation of the initiatives for rural development for which I have responsibility i.e. the Operational Programme for Rural Development and the EC Leader Programme, with a view to formulating proposals on the most appropriate mechanism for promoting integrated rural development. The review will take into consideration interim reports of evaluations of these two measures which I expect to be completed by the end of September. I will of course also be giving consideration to the contribution which rural groups themselves might make to the process of promoting the development of rural communities.
