Vol. 510 No. 3
69 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the agricultural payments office Bill providing for an agency to administer FEOGA payments on a statutory basis will be published; the other legislative priorities in his Department which have resulted in this Bill not being proceeded with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22421/99]
Extensive discussions have taken place concerning the status and scope of the payments agency envisaged. Some options have legislative implications while others do not. The Government has asked me to bring forward within the next number of months a memorandum setting out the options for establishing an agency to administer FEOGA payments. I expect the matter will be decided conclusively when the Government considers the memorandum.
