Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 441: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her Departments attention was drawn to the fact that REP scheme two and three payments were going to be deferred from 1 January 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5951/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I had further discussions with Commissioner Fischer Boel in Brussels earlier this week about the difficulties with the European Commission in relation to the established practice of paying REPS 2 and REPS 3 participants at the beginning of each contract year. I am very glad to say that I obtained the Commissioner's agreement that Ireland can continue to receive REPS payment claims and make payments as has been done in the past, until the expiry of REPS 2 and REPS 3 contracts.

I have directed my officials to take immediate steps to release REPS 2 and REPS 3 payments which had been on hold since early January and payment for valid outstanding claims will begin to issue later this week.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her attention has been drawn to the fact that farmers had entered into a five year contract with her Department and that they would be paid at the end of every year once they had complied with the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5952/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I had further discussions with Commissioner Fischer Boel in Brussels earlier this week about the difficulties with the European Commission in relation to the established practice of paying REPS 2 and REPS 3 participants at the beginning of each contract year. I am very glad to say that I obtained the Commissioner's agreement that Ireland can continue to receive REPS payment claims and make payments as has been done in the past, until the expiry of REPS 2 and REPS 3 contracts.

I have directed my officials to take immediate steps to release REPS 2 and REPS 3 payments which had been on hold since early January and payment for valid outstanding claims will begin to issue later this week.