Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) is reportedly receiving €10,000 a week in single farm payments. [24628/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Single Payment Scheme was introduced in Ireland in 2005 as part of the new measures agreed in the Common Agricultural Policy, following conclusion of the Mid-Term Review. As the Deputy will be aware the Mid-Term Review proposals provided for a radical overhaul of the direction of the Common Agricultural Policy by removing the direct link between production and subsidies.

The outcome of the Mid-Term Review is reflected in Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, the provisions of which are directly applicable in every Member State. Following the adoption of Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, Ireland decided to decouple all Direct Payments Schemes. The decision was announced in October 2003 following the conclusion of an extensive public consultation process.

In accordance with the provisions of the Council Regulation, Ireland also decided to implement the Historical Model for the establishment of entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme. The entitlements of individual farmers, including those for the person named, were established, under the provisions of the Council Regulation and were based on a farmer's participation in the Livestock Premia Schemes, Arable Aid Scheme, etc. during the 2000 to 2002 reference period.

Therefore, the Single Payment entitlements established for individual farmers reflect the level of applications under the Livestock Premia and Arable Aid Schemes during the reference period in line with the requirements of Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003.