Written answers

Thursday, 9 March 2023

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Coillte Teoranta

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

366. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if following a judgement from the European Court of Justice prohibiting Coillte from receiving state supports; if any repayments were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12114/23]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Coillte received payment of afforestation premiums at the non-farmer rate from 1994 to 1999. The total amount paid to Coillte in premiums, for the period in question, was €8,416,243 of which 75% was paid by the European Commission and 25% by the Irish Exchequer.

In August 1999, the European Commission decided that Coillte was not eligible to receive such premiums as it did not consider Coillte to be a “private-law, natural or legal person” as defined in Regulation 2080/92. This decision was appealed but was subsequently upheld by the European Court of Justice in its judgement of 16 October 2003. The State was obliged to return the EU element of the premium payment as this was the only part covered by the decision and the European Commission was concerned only about the Community funding involved.

The EU element amounting to €6,312,182 was reimbursed to the Commission.

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

367. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 782 of 31 January 2023, if his Department has sought clarity from the European Commission as to if the revised State aid rules allow for the provision of afforestation grants and premiums to Coillte; the expected timeline in which he expects a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12115/23]

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

368. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is intended that his application for State aid exemption for the incoming forestry programme will include indications that his Department intends to provide afforestation grants and premiums to Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12116/23]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 368 together.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department is currently seeking legal advice on the matter and will engage further with the Commission on receipt of this advice. Clarity will then be sought on specific scenarios and details of possible claimants under this Programme. This includes the possibility for Coillte to be a direct beneficiary of forestry premiums under the Programme.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.