186 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the progress the national rural development forum has made to date as promised in the White Paper on rural development, "Ensuring the Future"; the major issue the forum identified facing rural Ireland; and his views on whether the forum which has a wide membership including Departments, State agencies, regional assemblies and authorities, local authorities, the social partners and the wider voluntary community sector, will provide solutions to current rural economic decline. [8011/02]

196 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development his views on the rapidly declining population in rural areas and the fact that within four years the CAP will be virtually dismantled; if his Department has considered the inclusion of other data in the census in order to obtain a more detailed profile of life in rural areas and to better inform policy making; and the new initiatives he has in this regard. [8211/02]

200 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the cost of the national rural development forum to date. [8237/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 186, 196 and 200 together.

The national rural development forum was established following the publication of the White Paper on rural development in August 1999. The purpose of this forum is to debate current issues, review existing programmes to determine their impact and identify suitable policy responses to rural problems. As the Deputy acknowledges the forum is representative of a broad range of interests. It has a wide membership including Departments, State agencies, the regional assemblies and authorities, local authorities, the social partners, local development bodies and the wider voluntary and community sector. The forum meets on a bi-annual basis.

The forum has met on three occasions to date: in Nenagh in May 2000, in Ballinlough in December 2000 and in Maam Cross in November 2001. The topics discussed at the meetings included the national spatial strategy, rural tourism, rural transport, rural proofing, banking and the rural population, rural post offices, the role of county development boards, the CLÁR Programme and planning issues in rural areas. A detailed progress report on the implementation of the White Paper is also presented at meetings of the forum.

The direct costs associated with the organisation of these three meetings of the forum came to €9,727.93, £7,661.37.

The White Paper on rural development set out a clear vision and framework for the development of rural communities and marked a new approach and commitment by Government to rural development. One of its chief concerns is to diversify economically and to provide additional income and job creation opportunities in rural areas while cherishing the distinct features and culture of the countryside.