Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the proposals she has to meet the concerns of the Society of Irish Foresters in regard to a European Commission proposal for a Council regulation on support for rural development for the period 2007 to 2013 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4544/05]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 394: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the effect which the proposed changes to the EU regime governing forestry will have on the Irish forestry sector; and the stance which her Department will be adopting in this regard. [4875/05]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a case has been made for Ireland by her Department at EU level on the proposed cutbacks for the forestry industry in this country; the meetings which have taken place with her Department and the European Commissioner with responsibility for forestry on this matter. [4900/05]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her negotiating position regarding the Commission proposals to reduce the financial supports available to forestry under the rural development budget 2007 to 2013; the steps she intends to take to overturn this budget cut; if she has discussed this issue with her Council colleagues; the support she has received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5040/05]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the proposals of the European Commission for a Council regulation on support for rural development for the period 2007 to 2013; if her focus will be on the major cutbacks in grant aid and support for afforestation which is proposed therein; her plans to ensure the restoration of grant aid and supports to current levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5043/05]

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 408: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she proposes to take to convince the European Commission that its proposals under the Council regulation on the support for rural development for the period 2007 to 2013 is flawed in so far as it will greatly inhibit the growth of forestry here; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the proposals are to reduce the planting grants to 40% of eligible costs, that to cap farm forest premiums at €500 per hectare and to reduce the premium timespan from 20 to ten years; her views on whether, if such proposals were implemented, they would have a very adverse effect on forestry here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5109/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 376, 394, 401, 404, 405 and 408 together.

The draft rural development regulation is not just about forestry. It covers a range of rural development measures. Some of the proposals are positive and others, particularly that pertaining to forestry, are not.

When the proposed new regulation was published by the European Commission last summer, Ireland was one of the first member states to recognise the threat that the draft regulation posed to countries with active afforestation programmes.

From the outset, the Irish position on the draft regulation in respect of forestry has been clear and unequivocal. We have continually and consistently made known our opposition to the Commission's proposals particularly those proposing to reduce establishment grants, premiums and associated premium payment periods.

This is the position we have articulated consistently at every level from working group up to the agriculture Council. I expressed my views forcefully on the impact of the proposals for forestry in Ireland at the ministerial agriculture Council meeting in November 2004 and I also restated these concerns directly to Commissioner Fischer Boel.

Member states are coming to appreciate the full impact of the proposals on forestry and we will continue to work at all levels to achieve the best possible deal for Ireland in the admittedly tough negotiations that lie ahead. To this end, I am heartened by the support we are receiving from all sectors of the industry. Very early on in the process, I established a consultative-liaison group, comprising of representatives of the forestry sector. It meets regularly. Through this group, the sector is consulted and informed of developments and is involved in the development of the Irish position as the negotiations unfold. At this stage, intense negotiations on the regulation are continuing and a final decision is not expected to be taken by the Council of Ministers for several months.