Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1600. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the EU auditor is auditing the commonages here; and if so, the date on which this audit will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26705/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine is subject to ongoing audits from a number of bodies both at European and National level.

All land including commonage claimed by farmers under the Basic Payment Scheme comes within the scope of these audits. It would be inappropriate to comment further on the detail of specific audits.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1601. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria that the EU auditor is examining commonages here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26706/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine is subject to audits from a number of bodies including DG Agri and the European Court of Auditors. 

These audits can involve a review of the implementation by my Department of the various EU regulations that relate to both the management and eligibility of land for payment, including commonages.  The primary articles that cover land eligibility are detailed in EU Regulation 1307/2013 and the delegated EU Regulation 639/2014. 

The interpretation of these Regulations is clearly set out in the booklet “A Guide to Land Eligibility” which my Department issued to all farmers in 2015. These land eligibility rules apply to all agricultural lands irrespective of whether the land is farmed in common or not.