My Department is responsible for the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 which is governed primarily through European Commission and Council regulations. The main regulations governing the delivery of the current programme are Council Regulation 1698/2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, Commission Regulation 1974/2006 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation 1698/2005 on support for rural
development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Commission Regulation 1975/2006 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, later replaced by (EC) No 65/201, as regards the implementation of control procedures as well as cross-compliance in respect of rural development support measures. The Regulations stipulate that each Member State must set down detailed Programme rules and that the Programme must also comply with all relevant national legislation and standards. In this regard, my Department has detailed Programme Operating Rules available on www.environ.ie and amending circulars. The criteria for the eligibility of the projects funded under the Programme are contained in the Rules and amending circulars. Under the Operating Rules, where an applicant is dissatisfied with the decision of a Local Development Company they may appeal the decision to the Regional Inspector in my Department's Inspection Services Section.
