Vol. 550 No. 4
234 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason an EU farm retirement pension payment has not been made to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8879/02]
My Department has not received an application from the person named. A professional adviser acting on his behalf was in correspondence with my Department in February of this year when an exemption was sought and granted under the force majeure provision from one of the conditions of the early retirement scheme. However, he must make a formal application if he wishes to join the scheme, and the date of receipt of a valid application is the earliest date from which payment of a pension can commence.
