Vol. 478 No. 7
208 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the measures, if any, he proposes to take to improve on the targets and other issues laid down in the Charter of Rights for Farmers over the life of the Partnership 2000 Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11967/97]
The Charter of Rights for Farmers launched by the Taoiseach in April 1995 envisaged a programme of substantially improved services to farmers. I am satisfied that significant improvements in the quality of services, including accommodation and telephone facilities, have been achieved in the two years the charter has been in operation. As regards the payment targets set for the various schemes in the charter, I am happy to say that these targets have been largely met.
When the charter was published in 1995 it was never intended that it would be a static document.In recognition of this, the Government in Partnership 2000, undertook to enter into discussion with the farm organisations on measures to improve targets, and other issues, in the charter, over the life of the partnership agreement. The first meeting of the review group, the forum established under the charter for review and feedback on the delivery of the charter by the Department, took place in October 1996, and meetings have subsequently been held on a quarterly basis. The representative associations on this group have been invited to submit any suggestions they might have for improving the quality of services, including the timely delivery of payments to farmers.
