Proinsias De Rossa
Question:34 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the promised White Paper on rural development will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9401/98]
Written Answers - White Paper on Rural Development.
My intention is to have the work on the preparation of the White Paper on rural development completed by the end of the year.
In response to an invitation by my Department, more than 100 submissions have been received from interested groups, voluntary and community organisations and individuals throughout the country. My Department has also carried out a series of regional consultative seminars to provide an opportunity for those living in rural areas to make an input into the process.
The preparation of the White Paper is being co-ordinated by an interdepartmental committee which I am chairing. The committee will be meeting again shortly to examine the various submissions and inputs through the consultative process as well as recent publications and contributions to the debate on rural development, with a view to deciding on a work programme.