Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will look favourably on an application for a single farm payment for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [5700/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person named applied for the 2007 Single Payment Scheme on 25 April 2007. He also submitted an application to consolidate his entitlements on 26 April 2007. On 10 December 2007, the applicant was notified that his application to consolidate his entitlements was rejected as he had previously consolidated his entitlements and he did not declare sufficient eligible hectares in 2007 to meet the requirements of Article 7 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 7956/2004. In accordance with the provisions of Article 7, an applicant must declare at least 50% of the average number of hectares farmed during the 2000 to 2002 reference period in order to be eligible to consolidate his or her entitlements.

The person named lodged an application to add additional land to his application on 21 January 2008. He was informed that under the EU Regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme, the land could not be added to his application after 9 June 2007. Under the Regulations, it was possible to accept amendments, received on or before 31 May 2007, adding eligible land to the 2007 Single Payment application. It was also possible to accept amendments from that date until 9 June 2007 subject to the penalty provided for in the Regulations.

The legal requirements of the Single Payment Scheme in so far as the submission of late amendments to an application are concerned have been fully explained to the person named and his agent. He has been advised of his rights of appeal and the procedures to follow in submitting an appeal.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position in relation to a person (details supplied) who is waiting to be awarded their REP scheme payment; if this will be awarded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5723/08]

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 4, the European Commission raised questions early in January 2008 about the established practice of paying REPS 2 and REPS 3 farmers at the beginning of each contract year. At that stage, some €6 million had already been paid to REPS 2 and REPS 3 farmers since 1 January 2008.

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. My Department's position was outlined in considerable detail at a meeting with the Commission in Brussels on 25 January. When Commissioner Fischer Boel was in Dublin two weeks ago to attend the Annual General Meeting of the IFA, I took the opportunity to make the same points directly to her and I emphasised the seriousness with which I regarded the situation. I am continuing, along with my officials, to press for a quick resolution to the issue and high-level contacts are ongoing with the Commission. However, until the matter is clarified, my Department is not in a position to release any further payments under REPS 2 and REPS 3. Payments to REPS 4 farmers under contracts which commenced in 2007 are beginning to issue this week.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in payment of the early payment in relation to REP scheme two, three and four which affects up to 40,000 posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5736/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In the course of the ongoing discussions on the payment arrangements for REPS 4, the European Commission raised questions early in January 2008 about the established practice of paying REPS 2 and REPS 3 farmers at the beginning of each contract year. At that stage, some €6 million had already been paid to REPS 2 and REPS 3 farmers since 1 January 2008.

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. My Department's position was outlined in considerable detail at a meeting with the Commission in Brussels on 25 January. When Commissioner Fischer Boel was in Dublin two weeks ago to attend the Annual General Meeting of the IFA, I took the opportunity to make the same points directly to her and I emphasised the seriousness with which I regarded the situation. I am continuing, along with my officials, to press for a quick resolution to the issue and high-level contacts are ongoing with the Commission. However, until the matter is clarified, my Department is not in a position to release any further payments under REPS 2 and REPS 3. Payments to REPS 4 farmers under contracts which commenced in 2007 are beginning to issue this week.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when her attention will be brought to the proposed changes in payment arrangements for the REP scheme; if she informed the relevant farming bodies of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5827/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The farming organisations were made aware in December 2007 of the fact that the EU Regulations governing REPS 4 might, if applied strictly, require a departure from the existing practice of paying REPS participants in full at the beginning of each contract year. My officials informed them that they were making every effort to persuade the Commission that the existing practice should continue for REPS 4.

In the course of discussions on the payment arrangements for REPS 4, the European Commission raised questions early in January 2008 about the established practice of paying REPS 2 and REPS 3 farmers at the beginning of each contract year. I was informed of this and my officials immediately began to engage with the Commission seeking to resolve the problem. At a meeting with the Commission in Brussels on 25 January, my Department's position was set out in considerable detail. I met with Commissioner Fischer Boel on 29 January when she was in Dublin for the Annual General Meeting of the IFA and made clear my concerns about the seriousness of the situation and the need for an early solution. I am continuing, along with my officials, to press for a quick resolution to the issue and high-level contacts are ongoing with the Commission.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their REP scheme payment. [5829/08]

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 4, the European Commission raised questions early in January 2008 about the established practice of paying REPS 2 and REPS 3 farmers at the beginning of each contract year. At that stage, some €6 million had already been paid to REPS 2 and REPS 3 farmers since 1 January 2008.

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. My Department's position was outlined in considerable detail at a meeting with the Commission in Brussels on 25 January. When Commissioner Fischer Boel was in Dublin two weeks ago to attend the Annual General Meeting of the IFA, I took the opportunity to make the same points directly to her and I emphasised the seriousness with which I regarded the situation. I am continuing, along with my officials, to press for a quick resolution to the issue and high-level contacts are ongoing with the Commission. However, until the matter is clarified, my Department is not in a position to release any further payments under REPS 2 and REPS 3. Payments to REPS 4 farmers under contracts which commenced in 2007 are beginning to issue this week.