Vol. 556 No. 5
61 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has extended an invitation to the EU Agriculture Commissioner, Mr. Franz Fischler, to visit Ireland to meet farm organisations and interest groups to discuss the proposed reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy; his views on whether such a visit would be beneficial to all concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20820/02]
Commissioner Fischler will visit Ireland on 11 November 2002 as part of his programme of visits to member states, to present the Commission's proposals for the mid-term review of Agenda 2000 and to have an exchange of views on them with farming groups and other interests. I will be meeting separately with the Commissioner.
I expect that the wide-ranging exchange of views with the Commissioner will be very beneficial and that it will provide a further opportunity to impress upon him the particular Irish concerns about the impact of the proposals.
