Vol. 436 No. 7
77 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he received any recent requests from Brussels regarding any aspects of Ireland's review of the disadvantaged areas; whether agreement or approval is likely to be achieved in relation to extensions sought under this heading; if he has anticipated any such agreement in the context of his submissions to the National Development Plan 1994-1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
91 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the date his Department submitted the results of the disadvantaged areas appeal board to Brussels; the date that the appeals board completed and submitted the results to his Department; and when a final decision from the EC will be made on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 91 together.
The appeals panel completed its detailed analysis of areas seeking inclusion in the disadvantaged areas and presented its recommendations to me on 3 August. Following examination by my Department, the recommendations of the panel were sent to Government for approval and when approval was received they were submitted to the EU Commission on 11 November.
The technical examination of the submission by the Commission is expected to commence shortly. Officials from my Department will assist the Commission, where required, in completing that examination. It is obviously not possible to predict precisely what will be the final outcome of the Commission's examination.
As the proposal for extension represents in excess of 1.5 per cent of the area of the country, the procedure is that, if the Commission accepts it, it will make a detailed proposal to the Council which must consult with the European Parliament before making the final decision. I am confident that the cost of any extension agreed by the Council will be met from within the EU and national resources provided under the National Development Plan 1994-1999.
