2.10.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L257/15 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 9 December 1998 on the measure which Ireland is planning to implement in favour of employers for the refund of social security contributions paid in respect of seafarers employed on certain categories of ships not being required to be registered in a Member State (notified under document number C(1998) 4278) (Only the English text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (1999/651/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 93(2) thereof, Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62(1)(a) thereof, Having regard to the Community guidelines on state aid to maritime transport (), Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to the above provisions, Whereas: 1. Procedure By letter dated 15 May 1997, registered in the Commission on 20 May 1997, Ireland notified the Commission of the aid N 322/97. By letters dated 30 June and 8 September 1997 the Commission sent requests, for further information. A bilateral meeting took place on 9 July 1997. By letters registered in the Commission on 31 July, 27 October, 7, 13, 19 and 27 November 1997 as well as 2, 4, 8 and 10 December 1997, the Irish authorities furnished the Commission with supplementary information. () O] C 205, 5.7.1997, p. 5. By letter dated 20 January 1998, the Commission informed Ireland of its decision: — to authorise aid in respect of type (1) vessels, — not to object to the refund of contributions paid in respect of old-age pensions to self employed contributors and formerly self employed voluntary contributors aged 56 years on 6 April 1998 since it does not constitute aid, and — to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 93(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of aid towards type-2 ships (type-2 measure) under the Social Welfare (Consolidated Contribu- tions and Insurability) (Amendment) (No 2) Refunds) Regu- lations, 1997. The Commission decision to initiate the procedure was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (2). The Commission invited interested parties to submit their comments on the measure. By letter of 23 February 1998, registered in the Commission on 24 February 1998, Ireland provided the Commission with its comments as regards the abovementioned Article 93(2) procedure. On several occasions thereafter bilateral contacts have taken place between representatives of the Commission and the Irish authorities. The Commission has received no comments from other Member States or from interested parties. () O] C 103, 4.4.1998, p. 15.