Paul Connaughton
Question:187 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the backlog of REP scheme files which have accumulated in the FDS office, Tuam, County Galway, due to insufficient staff numbers to deal with the considerable volume of files; if his attention has further been drawn to the financial hardship caused to hundreds of farmers as a result of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23599/02]