Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The Department is corresponding with the Ombudsman's office with regard to this scheme and the matter has not been concluded. Detailed legal advice was sought from the Attorney General's office, was considered and acted upon. It would be virtually impossible to answer the Deputy's question in detail, for a number of reasons. There are perhaps three considerations of some importance, two of which relate to the conditions of the scheme. First, if, finally, there were to be a recommendation for payment in this case, the applicant made the application considerably outside the application period. That would relate not only to the 62 vessels which were refused but to an unknown number of others.

See this speech in context