Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a revised scheme to replace the REP scheme will be finalised; if discussions with the European Commission have been completed in relation to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40813/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has submitted proposals for a new agri-environmental scheme to the European Commission as part of a draft amendment to the Rural Development Programme 2007-13. Initial bilateral discussions have taken place. The Commission has set out its comments and questions in writing. My Department will give its response this week and further bilateral discussions will take place shortly. I am hopeful that an amendment to the programme will be approved in December so that the new scheme can be introduced early in 2010.