Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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559. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when it is anticipated that the examination of the rural development programme by the constituent parts of the European Union will be completed thereby enabling the commencement of implementation of this programme of supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31582/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (RDP) will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas. The proposed measures for inclusion in the new RDP were the subject of extensive stakeholder consultation over a period of 18 months and the resultant feedback has informed the design of the draft Programme. An ex-ante evaluation incorporating a Strategic Environmental Analysis and an Appropriate Assessment was also carried out on the proposed measures by independent, external evaluators.

The draft RDP was finalised by my Department and submitted to the European Commission on the 3rd of July 2014. This draft will now for the basis for a period of discussion with the Commission and the subsequent formal adoption of the RDP.

Given the wide ranging nature of the content of the RDP and the extensive internal consultation to be undertaken by the Commission, it is difficult to predict exactly how long these discussions will last. However, the relevant EU Regulations do provide some guidance in relation to the maximum time limits that will apply to the approval process. In accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council, the Commission will make observations and respond within three months of the date of submission of Ireland’s RDP. In response, my Department will provide to the Commission all necessary additional information and, where appropriate, revise the proposed programme. Provided that all observations made by the Commission are adequately taken into account, the Regulation sets out that the Commission will approve the Programme no later than six months following the original submission.

Securing approval for the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 will be a priority for my Department in the coming months.