Vol. 521 No. 4
109 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the current status of the Irish REPS proposals which are in Brussels awaiting approval; when he hopes these proposals will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17366/00]
The new REPS programme is included in Ireland's CAP rural development plan for the period 2000-06. This plan, which also includes measures on early retirement, compensatory allowances and forestry, was submitted to the European Commission at the end of December 1999.
Negotiations with the Commission began in March and are now in their final stage. Following the completion of these negotiations a standard formal procedure for approval of all plans has to take place and by its nature this exercise involves a considerable amount of detail and documentation. It is my objective to ensure that approval is forthcoming in the shortest possible time but it is too early at this stage to give any concrete dates for the likely commencement of the new REPS.
