Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be awarded their REP scheme payment. [4372/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person named is a participant in REPS 3. In the course of the ongoing discussions on the payment arrangements for REPS, the European Commission have very recently raised questions about the established practice of paying REPS 2 and REPS 3 farmers at the beginning of each contract year. My officials have argued strongly with the Commission that the practice of paying at the start of the contract year is well established and one of which the Commission is well aware. I made the same points directly to Commissioner Fischer Boel when I met her in Dublin last week. My officials and I are pressing for a quick resolution to the issue, but until the matter is clarified my Department is not in a position to release payments under REPS 2 and REPS 3.