Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 2

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

163 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action, if any, he will take to accommodate farmers who have traditionally leased commonage but are being denied REP scheme payments, SMA, on land; and the reason for the inconsistency of this approach in view of the fact leased commonage is eligible for area aid and enlargement under the early retirement scheme. [11654/99]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh):

In the discussions on the approval of supplementary measure A of the REP scheme the EU Commission insisted that commonage shareholders could not use other shareholders commonage rights. This precluded the use of leased commonage as eligible land under the scheme.