Negotiations with the European Commission on the national plan are under way with a view to agreeing the Community support framework. Detailed discussions on a new operational programme for agriculture with its sub programme for forestry are proceeding in parallel with these negotiations. It is proposed that this programme will again include a grant scheme for mechanised forestry harvesting equipment.
The grant application to which the Deputy refers was made in December 1993. It was not possible to consider it in advance of expiry of the Forestry operational programme at end December last. The applicant will however be considered for grant assistance under the relevant element of the new forestry operational, sub-programme, once approved, and in this regard my Department will shortly be in touch with the applicant.