Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 721: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to the development of a national strategy on rural development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15155/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the EU framework for rural development, a national strategy was developed and forwarded to the EU Commission last November. This strategy outlined Ireland's proposed approach for the next seven years. A rural development programme detailing relevant support measures was then sent to the EU Commission in December. This programme set out measures to be co-funded by the EU and others to be funded solely by the exchequer.

My Department continues its consultation with the EU Commission on both the strategy and the programme. While it is still too early to be definitive as to the eventual outcome, I would hope that EU approval will be obtained in the coming months. The EU Commission has already advised that its approval for measures solely funded by the exchequer is to be pursued outside the remit of the programme. The necessary steps have been taken to allow for this course.