215 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when a decision will be made regarding a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has applied for a herd number. [11197/97]

The person in question does not satisfy the criteria for receiving a herd number, particularly in regard to independent management and the availability of separate facilities. However, should circumstances change, it is open to the person in question to apply again.

I also refer the Deputy to Questions No. 278 of 8 April and No. 145 of 17 April. The position is that a completed application form for a herd number, with the relevant report, was not received in the Cork DVO until 14 April 1997. Thus the information given to the Deputy on 8 April was correct. The herdowner in question also applied for a flock number and ewe premium quota and it was this application which was acknowledged by my Department's office in Castlebar.