Vol. 532 No. 4
210 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if there is an appeal procedure whereby a person (details supplied) in County Cork can appeal a decision by his Department imposing a 10% penalty under the rural environment protection scheme. [7395/01]
Participants in REPS are notified in writing when penalties are imposed for non-compliance. The letters of notification also inform them of their right of appeal and the procedure to be followed. Participants may appeal in the first instance to the relevant local office. If they are dissatisfied with the outcome of that appeal, they may then appeal to the national REPS appeals committee. This committee is independent and its decisions are final.
The person named lodged an appeal to the national REPS appeals committee on 22 January 2001. An investigation report is being prepared for the committee and when it is complete the committee will consider his appeal at the first opportunity.
