Vol. 488 No. 4
165 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will implement a proposal to pay a further advance payment under the 1997 special beef premium scheme to offset the major delay that has emerged on payment due to the national quota overrun. [6484/98]
As I announced yesterday, I have decided, in view of the delay in making 40 per cent balancing payments, to make a further advance payment of £27.05 per eligible animal or 30 per cent of the original rate for 1997. The need for a further advance arises from a decision taken by the Council of Agriculture Ministers in October 1996 to cut Ireland's national quota by approximately 285,000 head to some 1,002,000.
