230 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a decision will be made in respect of the application by the farming communities in the district electoral divisions of Kilbonare and Droman, County Kerry for reclassification of these townlands as severely handicapped areas.

Both the Department and the Disadvantaged Areas Appeals Panel are anxious to complete the appeals process as soon as possible. However, I should point out that the EC Commission will not accept a submission in respect of reclassification of existing areas until it has made a decision on new additional areas to be included in the disadvantaged areas. That decision is expected early next year.

While the Appeals Panel is currently preoccupied with the processing of extension appeals it has assured me that it intends nevertheless to have its proposals on reclssification prepared and ready for submission well in advance of the decision on the admission of new additional areas.