I propose to take Questions Nos. 4, 13, 17, 19, 45 and 74 together.
The disadvantaged areas appeals panel was appointed in 1991 to examine appeals from groups in areas dissatisfied with the results of the fourth review of disadvantaged areas. A survey of all farmers in areas under appeal was undertaken early in 1992, and the results were examined by the panel, culminating in a recommendation in respect of certain areas which met the criteria as laid down by the EU Commission. The panel's recommendations were submitted to the EU Commission in November 1993.
Due to pressure of work, the Commission services did not complete its examination of the data before the end of 1994. Indeed, at a meeting in December 1994 between the Department and the Commission, further information was sought in respect of both the extension and reclassification proposals and this was provided in April 1995.
At this time, I had a number of meetings with Commissioner Fischler, at which I impressed on him the urgency of having this matter concluded quickly and he agreed to expedite matters in the hope that both the extension and reclassification submissions could be concluded as soon as possible in 1995. Since then, work on the reclassification dossier was completed with Commission approval of the newly reclassified areas on 27 October. Work on the extension has, however, been more difficult with the Commission services looking for further data, which had to be collected during the summer. More importantly, the Commission indicated that it had a major difficulty with the interpretation of the stocking density criterion which had been given to the appeals panel. This issue has still to be resolved but I am pushing very hard to have this done at a very early date and appropriate Commission proposals made to the Council.
Following approval by the Commission, the extension proposals then have to be approved by both the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament, so it is not possible to be precise as to when the list of new areas will be released.