asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if farmers in mountain and hill areas, wet mineral lowlands and low-level peat lands will benefit from proposed EEC arrangements.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Land Arrangements.
9.
Less-favoured areas for the purposes of the proposed EEC Directive must, as well as being physically handicapped, conform simultaneously to certain economic and population criteria. The final list of areas to be catered for by the directive will eventually be decided upon by the Council of Ministers in the light of all the criteria laid down. It is not possible at this stage therefore to say what areas will come within the scope of the directive.
Would the Minister say whether the farmers mentioned in this question will be catered for at all by the existing farm modernisation scheme?
They will, yes.
In which category will they be classified—transitional, development or other?
Most likely transitional.
The Minister is not sure?
Of course every case has to be examined.
That is a vague statement. Does the Minister——
Question No. 10. The Deputy has had a number of supplementaries.
Will the Minister withdraw the words "most likely"?