Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 558: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of meetings and discussions she has had with the EU Agriculture Commissioner regarding the special beef premium overshoot; the dates and EU officials involved on each occasion; the meetings, discussions and submissions made by her officials on the issue; the dates and EU officials involved on each occasion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22563/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I have raised the issue of the breach of our national ceiling under the 2004 special beef premium scheme on a number of occasions with the EU Agriculture Commissioner, most recently during her visit here last week. I have put the case strongly that the overshoot arose as a result of the changeover to full de-coupling with effect from 1 January 2005. My officials have also prepared and supplied to the Commission services detailed submissions on all aspects of the overshoot and have met directly with Commission services officials on a number of occasions to further press our case. During the recent visit to Ireland, the Commissioner indicated that she understood the problem and intended to make an early decision.