The original closing date for receipt of area aid applications was 30 March 2001 and this was later extended to 27 April 2001. My Department received an application from the person named on 29 May 2001.
EU regulations provide that when an application is received late a penalty deduction of 1% of any aid payable for each working day that the application is late is incurred and where an application is received more than 25 calendar days late, a 100% penalty must be applied.
The applicant has been informed of the position. I understand that he is preparing a case in which he will claim force majeure relating to the late submission of his application. He has also lodged an appeal to my Department's appeals unit. My Department will examine any relevant material that the applicant may submit and the outcome will be communicated to him at the earliest possible date.