Vol. 498 No. 1
105 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the lessons, if any, learned in his Department following the investigation by the European Court of Auditors concerning the allocation of £30 million in EU forestry grants to Coillte rather than the small farmers it was meant to benefit. [26336/98]
The investigation referred to was in fact a written query from the Court of Auditors concerning the eligibility of non-farmers for grants and premiums. My Department clarified the situation for the court by pointing out that, in accordance with the governing EU Regulation, Council Regulation E.U. No. 2080/92, payment of grants and premiums was not limited to farmers.
