Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Jan 1995

Vol. 448 No. 1

Written Answers. - CAP Reform.

Liam Hyland

Question:

92 Mr. Hyland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will ensure that Ireland continues to benefit to the maximum extent from CAP reform and, in particular, the accompanying measures; the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that there is no change in the method of funding the programme from guaranteed direct payment as agreed under CAP to a system recently approved by the European Parliament of reviewing the agricultural budget on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1624/95]

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

It is my intention to protect the benefits to Ireland from CAP Reform including the accompanying measures.

The accompanying measures will continue to be funded by the guarantee section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund and will remain an important component of the Common Agricultural Policy. Funding for these measures is provided for in the general budget of the European Communities for 1995, which was signed by the President of the European Parliament on 15 December 1994.

In the course of the budgetary procedure, Parliament adopted a number of "amendments" to the draft budget as established by Council on 25 July 1994 in respect of headings relating to expenditure hitherto classified as "compulsory" and on which Council had the final say.

The Council of Ministers has decided to question the procedure adopted by Parliament and will refer the matter for a ruling to the European Court of Justice on the basis that Parliament's action is not in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty and the Inter-Institutional Agreement between Parliament, Council and the Commission on budgetary matters.