Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 388: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason forestry planting grants are being reduced to 40% of the eligible costs. [4674/05]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 389: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason farm forest premiums are being capped at €500 per hectare. [4675/05]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 393: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason, in regard to forestry, the premium timespan is being reduced from 20 years to ten years. [4874/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 388, 389 and 393 together.

I refer the Deputy to the proposed new draft rural development regulation for the period 2007 to 2013, first published by the European Commission last summer and which is the subject of intense ongoing negotiations in Brussels. The issues raised by the Deputy relate to proposals for forestry contained in the draft regulation and I emphasise that these are merely proposals at this stage and are a long way from agreement in their present format. The proposals as they stand are unacceptable to Ireland and I have forcefully expressed this view over recent months at every level from working group up to the Agriculture Council. A final outcome on the draft regulation is not expected to be taken by Council for several months.