Vol. 531 No. 5
68 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath against a decision to impose a 100% fine in respect of his REP scheme application will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6332/01]
Following an inspection by my Department in 1999 of the farm of the person named, a penalty was imposed because a habitat listed on the farm had not been retained. Retention of habitats is a fundamental requirement of the REP scheme. An appeal was lodged to the REPS appeals committee on behalf of the person named in January 2000 and this was forwarded to my Department's regional office for investigation. Because of the complexity of the case, two inspections have taken place. The REPS appeals committee will consider the case at its next meeting.
