Vol. 435 No. 9
191 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if townlands (details supplied) in County Kilkenny are included in the submission to the European Commission in respect of appeals to the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have submitted the recommendations of the disadvantaged areas appeals panel in respect of the extension of disadvantaged areas to the EC Commission, and I expect that they will begin their examination, of the submission in the near future. On completion if this examination, the procedure then is that, if the Commission accepts the submission, a detailed proposal will be made to the EC Council of Agriculture Ministers, which takes the final decision after consultation with the European Parliament. This procedure normally takes up to six months or more.
I cannot comment on the inclusion or otherwise of specific townlands at this stage. It would be inappropriate to reveal details of areas submitted for approval before the EC Commission has had the opportunity to examine and react to the submission. I will, of course, indicate the outcome at the earliest appropriate date.
