Pádraic McCormack
Question:129 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the position regarding late applications for cattle headage in 1992; if late applications were legitimately accepted by field officers up to November 1992 in the course of other farm inspection; if, in view of this, he will give the reason for the refusal of local livestock offices to accept genuinely late applications as there was widespread confusion with the new form in 1992, with the new areas included in headage payments; if, in view of the fact that field officers were helpful to farmers on farm visits, he will give the reason for this not being extended to the livestock office staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter.