Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for not being in attendance for the presentations but I had to be in the Seanad. I am concerned about the tone of the debate regarding GLAS and commonages. Farmers have been destocked and badly treated over the years and many have been unable to restock commonages with sheep. It is important that they be given an opportunity to at least participate in GLAS and not be barred from it. It is also important that a plan for each commonage be agreed with the Department and the planners but that one planner rather than a number of planners implements it. Each farmer could employ a planner to implement the plan. Farmers should be not be disallowed from GLAS. The scheme is an important support for farmers in these areas and they have looked after commonages through the years, long before destocking took place. They managed the commonages in an environmentally friendly way. It is vitally important they be given an opportunity to do that. I look forward to the reply.