Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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1220. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the first tranche of single farm payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38381/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A 2013 Transfer of Entitlements application form was received by my Department on 22nd April 2013 in respect of the person named above. Both parties involved in the Transfer of Entitlements were contacted by my Department advising that the person who witnessed the signatures on the transfer form was not a valid witness. A re-witnessed form was received in my Department. However, the form has not been re-signed and therefore has been returned to both herdowners for appropriate action.

My Department previously accepted a Peace Commissioner as an appropriate person to witness Transfer of Entitlement Application forms. However, that practice was discontinued in 2012 and now only solicitors, members of Teagasc and Agricultural Consultants can witness the signatures. The reason for the change is that there is no available updated register or reliable data base to confirm that the person signing the form as a witness is in fact a Peace Commissioner. In the absence of such verification being possible, the practice was changed to remove the risk of fraudulent activity and maintain the integrity of the process.

As soon as the form is re-signed in the presence of appropriate witness, the application will be processed for payment.