Written answers

Tuesday, 27 November 2007

Department of Agriculture and Food

Grant Payments

8:00 pm

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 455: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her Department has had communication from the EU Court of Auditors regarding the operation of the single farm payments scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31341/07]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Single Payment Scheme is subject to ongoing scrutiny by auditors from the European Commission and the European Court of Auditors. In its recent annual report for 2006, the European Court of Auditors highlighted what they regard as certain deficiencies in the operations of the Single Payment Scheme in a number of Member States including Ireland. In particular, the Court of Auditors expressed the view that consolidation of entitlements was applied incorrectly in Ireland. The report also refers to an incorrect approach taken by Ireland with regard to the transfer of holdings by lease and the report also suggests that there was a delay in establishing entitlements for certain farmers who applied for entitlements from the 2005 National Reserve.

The position is that my Department refutes the Court's findings and has provided a comprehensive response to the matters raised during the course of the audit visit to Ireland. The issues raised by the Court will now be the subject of bilateral meetings between officials from my Department and the European Commission.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.