Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome both groups. While there may not be much marginal land in Kilkenny, I will speak in a general context about the matter. When a farmer receives a notice of inspection, it is like a Revenue audit. People worry about it because they do not know what they face at the end of it and whether they will suffer penalties. This all has to be dealt with and Mr. Downey dealt with it regarding the charter. The charter of rights must be examined such that farmers feel they have not been wronged after an inspection. I know people who felt they were doing everything right, but were suddenly faced with a penalty. These penalties have many serious implications regarding cash flow and the plans people made for their farms over the next five to six years. I agree with the IFA presentation regarding a yellow card system. The current system is like a hang man. Suddenly one is executed, gone and must face penalties. In any fair game, there is a yellow card, unless in the case of a misdemeanour or where people are acting against the ideas of the scheme.

While new schemes can have many teething problems, the IFA, the agricultural consultants and all farm organisations must sit down with the Department and iron this out. We are only seven weeks from the deadline. If this is not clarified very soon, people such as Mr. Dolan and their groups will be burning the midnight oil and working 24-hour days trying to get people's applications in, as will Teagasc members.

It has to be sorted out promptly and the yellow card system has to be brought into use. Everybody should be allowed one foul before being put off the pitch. It is important that the Department and the Commission take heed of the representations being made by the farming organisations and agricultural consultants.