Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, in view of the report of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food on early retirement and the subsequent correspondence from the European Commission or the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament, she will confirm the recommendation in this report which she intends to act upon; and the timeframe for this action. [17254/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The issues covered in the Report of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food are generally the same as those raised with the Committee of Petitions of the European Parliament. I have provided a detailed response to the Joint Committee's Report. Regrettably, there are a number of 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. As I pointed out in my detailed response to the Joint Committee, the European Commission had already concluded that my Department was operating the Scheme correctly under the relevant Regulations. However I am still considering certain aspects of the Joint Committee's report and I expect to be in a position to make announcements in due course.