Written Answers. - Grant Payments. – Dáil Éireann (28th Dáil) – Tuesday, 23 Jun 1998

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

172 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the professional qualifications of a district livestock inspector (details supplied) which enabled him overrule the written statements of two veterinary surgeons regarding the breed of a cow which has caused a grant application to be refused; if payment of the grant will now be made to the person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15157/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The officer concerned is an agricultural science graduate from the National University of Ireland. He is an experienced officer and has been engaged on duties related to livestock schemes, including breeding schemes, since 1992.

This herdowner's 1997 suckler cow premium application was the subject of an appeal to the headage and premia appeals unit of my Department. The appeals unit examined all of the evidence in the case. This included the letters from the two veterinary surgeons and the reports of three separate Department inspections. The third Department inspection was carried out by the district livestock inspector. The appeals unit found that the herdowner had made a false declaration through serious negligence and the appropriate penalty of exclusion from the suckler cow premium scheme for one year was applied. The herdowner was notified of the finding in December 1997.

In the absence of any new evidence, there are no grounds for changing this decision and the question of payment does not arise.

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1998