168 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will reintroduce REP scheme 3 until such time as REP scheme 4 is agreed at EU level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15687/07]

It is not legally possible to reintroduce REPS 3, which formed part of the 2000–2006 Rural Development Plan. Under the relevant EU Regulations, no new REPS 3 contracts could start after the end of that programming period, i.e. December 2006.

REPS 4 will form part of the new Rural Development Plan for the period from 2007–2013 which was sent to the European Commission in December 2006 and has to go through its approval process. I cannot be definite as to how long this process will take but I continue to pursue early approval. My officials are in ongoing contact about it with their counterparts in the Commission services.