Vol. 541 No. 2
272 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath following his Department's refusal to approve an area aid payment for 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20892/01]
The person named submitted his area aid application after the 27 April 2001 closing date. Late applications incurring daily penalties were accepted up to 22 May 2001. As the application form for the person named was not received until 19 June 2001, a 100% penalty was applied in accordance with the EU regulations.
273 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a decision will be made on an application for area aid by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20893/01]
The original closing date for receipt of area aid applications was 30 March 2001 and this was later extended to 27 April 2001. My Department received an application from the person named on 29 May 2001.
EU regulations provide that when an application is received late a penalty deduction of 1% of any aid payable for each working day that the application is late is incurred and where an application is received more than 25 calendar days late, a 100% penalty must be applied.
The applicant has been informed of the position. I understand that he is preparing a case in which he will claim force majeure relating to the late submission of his application. He has also lodged an appeal to my Department's appeals unit. My Department will examine any relevant material that the applicant may submit and the outcome will be communicated to him at the earliest possible date.
