Vol. 520 No. 5
108 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, in relation to the Leader+ programme, he will indicate the time period for the introduction of the new programme so that it will be approved as quickly as possible by the EU Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16262/00]
Following a lengthy period of consultation involving member states and including the European Parliament, the European Commission last month adopted the guidelines for Leader. The guidelines outline the template for the drafting by member states of operational programmes to be submitted to the commission for approval and clearance.
My Department is currently in the process of preparing the operational programmes for the implementation of both the Leader+ and the national Leader programmes for submission to the European Commission. It is hoped to place advertisements shortly inviting expressions of interest from local groups on the application and implementation of the programmes in rural areas.
Consultation with relevant parties is required by the European Commission in the preparation of the draft operational programmes and a significant degree of consultation has already taken place. The consultative process is ongoing and a number of advisory seminars are also being arranged on a regional basis to provide information to prospective participants in the new Leader arrangements.
Now that the guidelines for Leader+ are in place, I am concerned to ensure that the draft operational programmes for Leader+, together with the mainstream Leader programme proposed under the national development plan, are completed and forwarded to the commission with a view to obtaining clearance and the prompt establishment of funding activity to 2006. While the European Commission procedure provides for a period of months for formal negotiation and clearance of programmes, I will press for acceptance of our programmes at the earliest time possible.
