Negotiations continue on proposed €181m fine by EU after payments audit

Discussions continue with a view to an agreed settlement between Ireland and the EU Commission, on the latter’s proposal of a 2% flat-rate financial correction for Ireland of €181.5 million, arising from its audits of Direct Payment Schemes for farmers in Ireland in 2009, 2010 and 2012.

This followed an EU Conciliation Body opinion last December that conciliation seemed within reach. Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said his Department outlined to the Conciliation Body Ireland’s fundamental objection to the flat rate correction, and argued in favour of a calculated amount correction.

“My officials informed the Body regarding the amount of work undertaken by my Department to identify and remove all ineligible features from the LPIS database, the technical improvement in the LPIS system, and the time and resources used by my Department to address all issues raised by the Commission.