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Grant Payments.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2004

Tuesday, 7 December 2004

Questions (217, 218, 219)

Denis Naughten

Question:

244 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of the EU proposals on restructuring of grant aid for forestry; her negotiating position on this proposal; the discussions she has had with her EU counterparts on the issue; and the details of their response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32372/04]

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Written answers

The EU Commission has presented proposals for a new rural development regulation, covering the period 2007-13. This draft regulation covers a range of rural development measures, including measures in respect of less favoured areas, early retirement, on-farm investment and installation aid, and will also be the vehicle for channelling EU funding to forestry. The proposals have been examined at working group level, at the special agriculture committee and came before it for an initial discussion at the Council on 22 November. The proposals have serious implications for Irish forestry. The Commission has proposed a reduction in planting grants from 100% to 40%, a reduction in premiums and a reduction in the premium payment period from a maximum of 20 years to ten years. At all stages of the negotiations to date, Ireland has indicated the devastating effects of the proposals for Irish forestry. The draft regulation now returns to working group level for further negotiation. The Irish negotiators have engaged in an active campaign to raise awareness among their European colleagues of the potential impact of the proposals on Irish forestry. I will meet my Spanish counterpart in a few days time and this matter will be on the agenda as an item of mutual concern. Contact with other member states at ministerial level is planned. I have established a liaison group, on which all the various stakeholders are represented, for the purpose of examining these proposals, sharing information and identifying priorities. I formally acknowledge the significant contribution this liaison group has made to our analysis already.

Denis Naughten

Question:

245 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when she intends to seek applications for the national reserve under the 2005 decoupled payments scheme; if she has considered the eligibility criteria under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32373/04]

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I hope to invite applications for the 2005 single payment national reserve. Full details of the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions governing the national reserve will be announced at the same time.

Denis Naughten

Question:

246 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of a force majeure appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32376/04]

View answer

The person named has been notified that the circumstances outlined in his single payment scheme application did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure under Article 40 of EU Council Regulation 1782/2003. Following this decision, the person named submitted an appeal to the independent single payment appeals committee and the case is included for examination with the list of appeals cases to be examined next week. Following a full review of the circumstances of the case, the person named will be notified of the outcome of the appeal.

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