I propose to take Questions Nos. 139, 140 and 141 together.
Under the Community Support Framework for Ireland, 1994-99, it was agreed that an independent evaluation of the compensatory allowances scheme would be carried out "to examine the balance between income support and development measures with a view to ensuring that farming can become more self-reliant and integrated into the rural economy". This evaluation was requested by the Commission as it felt that the share of funding being devoted to this scheme was very high — £642 million — as against a total of £1,122 million in the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry as a whole.
The consultant's report is currently under examination in my Department, prior to discussion with the farming organisations and the Commission. It is not envisaged that the report would be published.