18.10.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities L 26317 II (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 13 June 2000 on the aid scheme implemented by Ireland to promote the transport of Irish livestock by sea to continental Europe (notified under document number C(2000) 1659) (Only the English text is authentic) (2000/625EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, (4) Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 88(2) thereof, Having called on interested parties to submit their comments (5) pursuant to the provision cited above (!), Whereas: PROCEDURE (1) By letter of 18 September 1997, registered on 29 September 1997, addressed to the Director-General of Agriculture, the Irish authorities notified the Commis- sion pursuant to Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty of their intention to grand IEP 1 000 000 in order to provide direct sea access to markets on the European continent for producers of livestock in Ireland. The case was regis- tered as aid N 633/97. (2)  On 1 October 1997, a meeting took place between Irish officials and the Commission. (3)  Supplementary information has been sent by letter of 1 October 1997, registered on 6 October 1997, by letter of 9 October 1997 and by letter of 18 December 1997. A letter from Mr Walsh, the Irish Minister for Agricul- ( ture, addressed to Commissioner Fischler, was received on 28 January 1998. o) ) () O] C 142, 7.5.1998, p. 8. By letter dated 10 February 1998, the Irish authorities were informed by the Commission that the case had been re-registered as non-notified aid under NN 1/98 as the first instalment of the aid had already been disbursed. By letter dated 25 February 1998, the Commission informed Ireland of its decision to initiate the procedure laid down by Article 88(2) of the Treaty in respect of the measure. The Commission decision to initiate the procedure was published in the Official Journal of the European Communi- ties (}). The Commission invited interested parties to submit their comments. The Commission has received comments from interested parties. It forwarded them to Ireland which was given the opportunity to react. Its comments were received by letter dated 21 July 1998. By fax of 14 April 2000, the Irish authorities submitted further observations in connection with the possible recovery of aid. DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASURE Ireland granted IEP 1 000 000 to a shipping company to ensure that Irish livestock could be exported by sea to continental Europe during the 1997 to 1998 winter (® See footnote 1.