Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association asked to join the Monitoring Committee for Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 and were advised, on 12th October 2016, that my Department, in its role as Managing Authority, is satisfied with the composition of the Committee and has no plans to invite a second round of invitations to join the Committee.

The Monitoring Committee was set up in the first place in accordance with Article 47 of (EU) Regulation 1303/2015, which requires that it be in place within three months of the Commission decision to adopt the new RDP.  The Monitoring Committee was therefore formed in July, 2015 following a comprehensive selection process. The aim of that process was to ensure that the relevant public authorities, economic and social partners and civil society were involved in the implementation and monitoring of the Irish RDP through active participation in the Committee.

The Department is satisfied that the Committee so formed met these objectives and that it continues to fulfil its mandate to monitor the implementation of the Rural Development Programme. Membership of the Committee will be kept under review to ensure that it continues to be fit for purpose.

The Association has also sought membership of the Direct Payments Advisory Committee and that request is under consideration at present.