Vol. 527 No. 5
131 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the EU is expected to finalise the guidelines for Leader+; when the operational programme will be drawn up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29103/00]
My Department has lodged the operational programme for Leader+ with the European Commission for assessment and approval. Also, in accordance with the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, the Leader+ programme was presented to the special North-South EU Programmes Body for its endorsement in tandem with the Northern Ireland Leader Programme.
A period of five months is provided for to facilitate the Commission's consideration of the programme prior to deciding on approval. I am pushing for early assessment of the programme in expectation that the Commission will issue its approval early in the new year.
