Vol. 534 No. 3
118 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will approve the application under the EU scheme of early retirement from farming by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10647/01]
I understand the person named wished to retire under the 1994 scheme of early retirement from farming but did not make an application by 31 December 1999, which was the closing date. I have sympathy for the position in which he finds himself, but I regret that under the terms of the EU regulations governing that scheme my Department has no discretion to accept an application submitted after that date.
