Mr. Kevin Smyth:

The difficulty we have - we know this from EU audits - is that if the land is not in GAEC when the auditors come, they effectively consider it abandoned. It is black and white with many of these EU auditors. We have had dozens of these audits. They are quite clear on that.

I wish to return to a point that Deputy Ferris made, that setting minima and maxima is a form of re-coupling. I agree with him totally, but that is what is required - that we get the numbers correct and that we have the right stocking and grazing plot for them. He mentioned the possibility of selective burning of land, particularly where there has been an excessive build-up of vegetation. That may be the only option to bring the commonage back to a basic condition and then bring it back to GAEC from there. That is a possibility and might be something to be considered under a grazing management plan.

In response to Deputy Heydon, the partnership must involve all stakeholders, whether they are in farming or otherwise. I appreciate his points about the Curragh. I think that covers the main points. I will allow my colleagues to comment.