Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, I have made provision for a scheme of farm waste management. A significant level of funding amounting to some £180.9 million has been allocated for this measure.
The measure will form part of the new regional operational programmes for the Border, midland and western region and the southern and eastern region. Clearance to proceed requires the approval of the European Commission. The broad clearance procedure is already well under way, as negotiations with the European Commission on the community support framework for Ireland, necessary to draw down the EU element of the funds, have recently been completed.
In addition, the relevant operational programme required has recently been finalised and submitted to the commission within a tight time frame. The further negotiation process in respect of the regional operational programme will follow and there is a formal EU Commission procedure for the approval of operational programmes. The procedure is complex and involves the provision of a considerable amount of documentation and detail. As this is likely to continue over a number of months, it is not possible to indicate at this stage, when the proposed scheme will commence. The Deputy can be assured that I will be doing all I can to ensure that approval is forthcoming in the shortest possible time.