John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of the European Commission's proposals on the reclassification of disadvantaged areas; the effects of the Commission's draft regulation on the current disadvantaged areas in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28493/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The position is that the Council of Agriculture Ministers agreed, at its meeting in Luxembourg on 20 June 2005, a new framework for rural development for the period 2007 to 2013. The agreement provides for the maintenance of the existing arrangements for the less favoured areas until 2010. In the meantime, the Commission will present a report and proposals to the Council concerning the future payment system and designation of less favoured areas. Any changes to the less favoured areas scheme will be considered in the context of this review of the scheme.