Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the revised farm waste management scheme will be made available without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2631/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when revised control of farmyard pollution grant rates will be issued; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2687/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 119 together.

I do not accept that there has been any delay on the part of my Department in the preparation of the revised farm waste management scheme. Last July I announced outline details of the proposed revised scheme. However, as the Deputies are aware, the approval of the European Commission is required for such from a state aids perspective. A formal application seeking Commission approval for the revised scheme was submitted on 30 September 2005. The application has been the subject of ongoing negotiation between the Commission and my Department in the intervening period.

I expect that the outstanding issues will be resolved in the near future so that the revised scheme can be introduced at an early date.