Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Jan 1995

Vol. 447 No. 11

Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Area Status.

Willie Penrose

Question:

263 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the progress, if any, that has been made in relation to the submission made to the EU Commission relating to the extension of disadvantaged areas and the reclassification of areas to more severely handicapped status; when these submissions are likely to be agreed and finalised in view of the fact that the delay in finalising this is having a negative impact from an income viewpoint on farmers in the areas that will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1510/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

The EU Commission has carried out a preliminary examination of the submissions on extension of the disadvantaged areas and reclassification of areas to more severely handicapped status. The Commission has raised a number of detailed queries on the submissions. These have been, or are in the course of being, answered. We would hope to have further bilateral meetings with the Commission to seek to get agreement. When this has been reached, the extension proposals will have to be approved by the Council of Ministers after consultation with the European Parliament. It is not possible at this stage to predict how long this procedure will take. I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to press very strongly for an early decision on these submissions.