Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2005

Wednesday, 28 September 2005

Questions (794)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

897 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason persons (details supplied) in County Galway have had a 10% penalty imposed by her Department as a result of a farm inspection for the REP scheme; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the penalty was imposed due to the fact that a shed was not painted; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the paint had been purchased but could not be applied due to inclement weather at the time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25656/05]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

A penalty has been imposed on the persons named because they had not carried out certain undertakings in their REPS plan in respect of the farmyard. They have appealed the penalty to the agriculture appeals office, which is statutorily independent of my Department, and the office will notify them in due course of the outcome of their appeal.