Vol. 540 No. 1
172 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if an investigation by the European Court of Auditors includes the forestry premium payments approved by his Department for Coillte Teoranta's share of each farm partnership planting which are collected by Coillte Teoranta's farm partners. [19960/01]
173 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if forestry premium payments, which are collected by Coillte Teoranta's farm partners, are discontinued on foot of a European Commission ruling; and if the Exchequer will replace these payments and make good on any future suspended payments to the 501 farmers involved. [19961/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.
In July 2000, the European Commission decided to disallow premium payments of £3.8 million to Coillte Teoranta. Ireland has lodged a challenge to this decision with the European Court of Justice. The Commission's decision does not affect Coillte's farm partnership scheme, and the relevant premium payments continue to be made.
I am not aware of any investigation by the European Court of Auditors covering Coillte's farm partnership scheme.
