Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

463 Questions— 22 February 2005. Written Answers 464[Mary Coughlan.]1997 1,300.991998 1,173.841999 Nil2000 Nil2001 Nil2002 NilThe payments awarded to the person namedunder the slaughter premium scheme for theyears 1997-2002 are:1997 Nil — not an applicant1998 Nil — not an applicant1999 Nil — not an applicant2000 103.842001 Nil — not an applicant2002 438.21The payments awarded to the person namedunder the ewe premium scheme for the years1997-2002 are as follows:1997 318.601998 407.881999 708.002000 602.962001 Nil — not an applicant2002 Nil — not an applicantThe only grounds for calculating the single farmpayment using the reference period 1997-99 arewhere force majeure/exceptional circumstancesare accepted as having caused a sudden, unforeseenbreakdown in production, beyond the controlof the producer, and affecting the entire referenceperiod 2000-02.The person named submitted an application forconsideration of force majeure/exceptional circumstanceson 5 February 2004. Having examinedthe circumstances outlined and supportingdocumentation, the single payment unit advisedthe person named that his application did notsatisfy the criteria laid down in Article 40 ofCouncil Regulation EC No 1782/2003.An opportunity to appeal this decision to theindependent single payment appeals committeewas offered to the person named but has not beenavailed of to date.292. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agricultureand Food when a person (detailssupplied) in County Mayo will receive his REPscheme payment. [5631/05]\\\Minister for Agriculture and Food (MaryCoughlan): The application for payment in thiscase was received in my Department on 10January 2005 and is being processed in accordancewith the targets set out in the protocol ondirect payments to farmers.293. Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agricultureand Food when a decision on the applicationby a person (details supplied) in CountyKerry to be considered as a new entrant-inheritanceunder the single payment scheme will bemade; and if she will make a statement on thematter. [5749/05]Minister for Agriculture and Food (MaryCoughlan): The person named submitted anapplication for consideration in respect of theinheritance and new entrant measures of the singlepayment scheme.Following the initial examination of the paperssubmitted the person named was requested tofurnish additional information. This informationhas now been received and both applicationshave been processed. The person named has beensuccessful in respect of both the new entrant andinheritance measures of the scheme. However,the inheritance measure, which is the inheritedentitlements combined with those earned by theperson named in his own right, was more favourablefinancially than the new entrant measure.The person named was notified on the 18February 2005 that the inheritance measurewould be the one reflected in his statement ofprovisional entitlements scheduled to issueshortly.Nitrates Directive.294. Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agricultureand Food the obstacles to the publicationof the specifications of earthen bank tanks; whenthese specifications will be published; if sheintends to provide grant aid to this form of storage;and if she will make a statement on thematter. [5832/05]Minister for Agriculture and Food (MaryCoughlan): I refer the Deputy to my reply toParliamentary Question No. 400 of 15 February2005.The working group, which is considering thespecification and guidance documents for earthlinedstores has reached an advanced stage in itswork. Some further discussions are taking placethis week. I expect that the expert working groupwill shortly submit its conclusions to my Departmentand to the Department of the Environment,Heritage and Local Government. Considerationwill be given to the working group’s recommendationsparticularly in the context of the implementationrequirements of the nitrates directive.Grant Payments.295. Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agricultureand Food if her Department has received