Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

987. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a representative group (details supplied) is not included in the CAP consultative stakeholders committee given that Leader is an important and integral part of the CAP rural development package; if he will reconsider this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24420/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The CAP Consultative Committee was established in May 2019. It affords representation across a wide range of stakeholders, including Irish Rural Link and the Department of Rural and Community Development, which provides a range of supports for rural communities through the LEADER programme. I understand that the Department of Rural and Community Development also consults directly with the named organisation on a regular basis.

In November 2020, the named organisation requested a place on the Committee. I considered that request and concluded that the Committee’s membership is already sufficiently broad and representative and that there is no need to broaden its membership further at this point.

In addition to the work of the CAP Consultative Committee, the Department has also held a number of wider consultative events in preparation for the next CAP. These have included a full public consultation in autumn 2019 around the draft SWOT analysis for the CAP Strategic Plan. In response to this, over one hundred submissions were received from a broad mix of stakeholders, including social interest groups, business representatives, local regional authorities, Government Departments and Agencies, as well as individuals. The full list of submissions is available on the Department’s website.

As work continues to develop Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan, I intend to hold at least one further public consultation later this year. I will be very happy to receive submissions from the organisation named in response to such future consultations.