Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

738. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the European Union asked his Department questions on the CAP strategic plan submitted in December 2021; if questions were asked in relation to or in connection with forestry or woodland creation or afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12420/22]

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

As the Deputy may be aware, Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023-2027 was submitted to the European Commission on 31st December 2021. A copy of the draft CAP Strategic Plan was made available to stakeholders, and published at the following link: www.gov.ie/cap, on Wednesday 2nd February. 

The formal EU approval process is now under way. The Commission will assess the draft Plan through extensive inter-service consultation, and based on the criteria laid down in the relevant regulations. It has three months to make formal observations, and we expect to receive its formal letter in this regard in late March/early April 2022.  My officials have not received any questions from the European Commission since its submission.