Ivan Yates
Ceist:147 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his attention has been drawn to the fact that early retirement scheme applicants cannot finalise and submit their applications due to the current restrictions on the sale and movement of livestock due to the foot and mouth situation, which necessitate them holding onto their remaining livestock; if any exceptions can be made for such applications, who, if the current restrictions were not in place, would have divested all their stock and proceeded to apply under the early retire ment scheme; and if he has any proposals to allow force majeure relief in such circumstances, particularly where all other conditions of the early retirement scheme have been complied with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8906/01]
