Michael Creed
Ceist:207 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was penalised under the rural environment protection scheme. [16509/01]
Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
The third year application for payment from the person named was chosen for a pre-payment compliance inspection. The inspection was carried out on 6 September 2000. On inspection it was found that hedgerows-stonewalls were not maintained as specified and that bovines were not excluded from wells and-or watercourses. The appropriate penalties for non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme were applied.
An appeal against these penalties was lodged with my Department's REPS appeals committee in March 2001. At present the case is under investigation and when a report is received the matter will be considered by the REPS appeals committee. When the decision is taken by the appeals committee the person named will be notified of the outcome directly in writing.
The REPS appeals committee is independent and its decisions are final.