Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 359: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she communicated the change of payment timetable for REP schemes to the relevant farming organisations. [10414/08]

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

The farming organisations were made aware in December 2007 of the fact that the EU Regulations governing REPS 4 were likely to 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. High-level contacts are ongoing with the Commission and I expect the matter to be clarified shortly.

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 and I immediately raised the matter with Commissioner Fischer Boel while my officials began to engage with their counterparts in the Commission services seeking to resolve the problem. These discussions brought confirmation from the Commission that the existing practice could continue and I very much appreciate the assistance of Commissioner Fischer Boel in ensuring this important outcome.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 360: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when her attention was first drawn to the change of payment timetable for REP schemes. [10415/08]

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

The farming organisations were made aware in December 2007 of the fact that the EU Regulations governing REPS 4 were likely to 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. High-level contacts are ongoing with the Commission and I expect the matter to be clarified shortly.

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 and I immediately raised the matter with Commissioner Fischer Boel while my officials began to engage with their counterparts in the Commission services seeking to resolve the problem. These discussions brought confirmation from the Commission that the existing practice could continue and I very much appreciate the assistance of Commissioner Fischer Boel in ensuring this important outcome.