Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 564: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding the special beef premium overshoot; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22696/05]

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 decoupling 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 her recent visit to Ireland, the Commissioner indicated that she understood the problem and intended to make an early decision.