Michael Finucane
Question:154 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when he expects a reply from the EU Commission following his submission on the EU Leader+ programme. [8925/01]
Written Answers. - Leader Programmes.
The EU Leader+ draft operational programme was submitted by my Department to the European Commission in November last in accordance with the Commission's guidelines.
Under the approval procedure, the Commission has a period of five months in which to examine the programme. My Department is in ongoing contact with the Commission in responding to points of clarification which have been sought. The intention is to gain Commission acceptance and programme approval over the coming weeks.