Regulation 2 InterpretationF1I1

In these Regulations—

• “agent” means a person authorised in writing by the Department for the purposes of these Regulations;

• “application” means an application for the approval of expenditure under regulation 4;

• “approved” in relation to any expenditure means approved by the Department or the agent under regulation 5;

• “authorised person” means any person authorised by the Department, either generally or specifically, for the purposes of these Regulations and includes any official of the Commission who accompanies such an authorised person;

• “beneficiary” means a person who has been granted approval for an operation;

• “Commission Regulation 1974/2006”^f1 means Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1974/2006 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1698/2005^f2 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD);

• “Commission Regulation 1975/2006”^f3 means Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1975/2006 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1698/2005 as regards the implementation of control procedures as well as cross-compliance in respect of rural development support measures;

• “Community support” means support payable pursuant to Articles 20(b)(i) and 26 of the Council Regulation from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development in accordance with the Community legislation;

• “the Community legislation” means the Council Regulation and any other instruments listed in the Schedule insofar as they relate to Community support;

• “Council Regulation 1782/2003”^f4 means Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers;

• “the Council Regulation” means Council Regulation (EC) No. 1698/2005 of 20 September 2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development;

• “the Department” means the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development;

• “electronic communication” has the same meaning as in the Electronic Communications Act (Northern Ireland) 2001^f5;

• “financial support” means an amount paid or payable under these Regulations;

• “operation” means an investment or project in Northern Ireland;

• “public funds” means monies available by—

  1. (a)

     a body exercising public functions within the United Kingdom; or

  2. (b)

     the European Communities.

A reference in these Regulations to anything done in writing or produced in written form includes a reference to an electronic communication which has been recorded and is consequently capable of being reproduced.

The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954^f6 shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Any reference in these Regulations to a Community instrument is a reference to that instrument as amended on the date on which these Regulations are made.

Other expressions used in these Regulations which are also used in the Council Regulation 1698/2005 or Commission Regulation 1975/2006 shall be construed in accordance with the appropriate Regulation.