Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. When was the submission sent to the European Commission for approval? Will the Minister of State accept that in many cases which no doubt he, like me, is hearing about, people are being unfairly punished because for a number of reasons they were unable to meet the stocking density in 2011? Is it possible to apply the rule in respect of stocking density in 2011 retrospectively? My questions are, when was the submission made to the Commission; is it possible, legally, to apply the rule retrospectively and will the Minister of State accept that many genuine people, on the peripheral and marginal end, have been affected by this and that they more than other people need the support of the State schemes?

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