Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a decision on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath referred to her Department by the agriculture appeals office; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28072/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The herdowner applied under Category A of the 2006 National Reserve which catered for farmers who inherited, leased or otherwise received land free of charge or for a nominal amount, from a farmer who retired or died before 16 May 2005, and where the land was leased out to a third party during the reference period 2000-2002. Applicants who are applying on leased in land must commit to a lease for a minimum of 5 years. The person in this case did not fulfil the criteria for this Category as the documentation submitted by him indicated that he was only leasing the lands for 3 years.

The herdowner appealed this decision and his file was forwarded to the Independent Single Payments Appeals Committee who completed their review and upheld my Department's decision. A letter outlining the Committee's decision was issued to the herdowner on 1 October 2007. Subsequently the herdowner submitted further documentation to the Committee that was forwarded to my Department for consideration. My Department has further reviewed this case but the documentation provided was not sufficient to allow for the original decision to be revoked. My Department has written to the herdowner requesting clarification on the documentation submitted. When this information is received my Department will be in a position to consider the matter further.