Pádraic McCormack
Ceist:112 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the new REP scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9567/00]
Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
The Rural Development Plan 2000-2006 which contains proposals for a new REP scheme was submitted to the European Commission in December last and the Commission has six months from then to consider it. Discussions on the plan are ongoing between my Department and the European Commission and my objective is to secure the earliest agreement of the Commission for the new scheme and so ensure its earliest implementation.