Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she has considered the recommendations of the report on the early farm retirement scheme published by the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food earlier in 2005; if she is committed to addressing the deficiencies in the scheme highlighted in this report; the measures she intends to pursue to address the concerns experienced by existing participants in the scheme highlighted in this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26983/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The joint committee's examination of the early retirement scheme provided a welcome opportunity to air a wide range of issues and I believe that this in itself has been helpful in clarifying the position. Earlier this month, I provided a detailed response to the report. Regrettably, I have not been able to accept a number of the committee's recommendations. They are precluded by elements of the EU regulations under which the current scheme and its predecessor are operated. The European Commission has rejected a complaint brought against my Department on most of the issues which were also covered in the committee's report. However, the committee made other recommendations which I am still considering.