Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to implement the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food report on the ERS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37729/05]

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 this has been helpful in clarifying the position. I have provided a detailed response to the report. Regrettably, there are a number of committee recommendations that I have not been able to accept. They are precluded by elements of the EU regulations under which the current scheme and its predecessor are operated. When the same issues were raised by retired farmers with the European Commission, the Commission concluded that my Department was operating the scheme correctly. However, the committee made other recommendations which I am still considering.