Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 3

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

64 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason an application by persons (details supplied) in County Cork for a 1995 suckler cow premium has been refused; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the animals were correctly entered on the application form; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the animal which the Department states was an incorrect breed is in fact a freisian heifer crossed with a three quarter bred simmental bull. [20676/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 162 of 16 October 1996.

As a result of a field inspection on this herd one animal was deemed to be a non-beef breed, an ineligible animal for the suckler cow scheme. The local livestock office imposed an exclusion penalty which was appealed by the herdowner. This appeal is still under investigation.

The headage and premia appeals unit is aware of the points raised by the Deputy. Following this thorough investigation all relevant information will be taken into account when a decision is being made.