Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 536: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the attention of her Department officials in County Galway was drawn to an impending EU representatives' audit which was to take place up to two weeks in advance of this scrutiny; if the files to be inspected were identified at this early stage prior to the audit; if her inspectors scrutinised these files prior to this audit; if this is normal procedure in such audits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19404/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am not aware of an impending EU audit visit to County Galway. However, a European Commission audit of agri-environment measures took place in Galway and Dublin in May 2005. As is normal practice, my Department received advance notification from the Commission of its visit and of files its team wished to examine during their audit. My officials examined these files to ensure that the complete files requested were available for the auditors on their arrival. This is also normal practice and ensures the work of the auditors is facilitated.

At any stage during an audit, other files not specified in advance may be requested for audit scrutiny. My Department always facilitates such requests and works closely with European Union and other external audit bodies to ensure the control systems in place to protect national and EU financial interests are robust.