Mr. Eddie Downey:

I support the position taken by the Agricultural Consultants Association, ACA, on commonages, in terms of having sufficient time to draw up plans. I agree that GLAS plans must be submitted before the deadline but advisers must be given the opportunity to go back to the individual commonages to draw up plans for them. It is the only workable solution. That is the correct approach to take. We need time in order to ensure the plans are correct so as to give farmers the opportunity to get the land into being good, eligible land by the end of the period in question.

Deputy Pringle raised the issue of private Natura land in Donegal. A specific measure is needed for that type of land, of which there is quite a bit around the country. At the moment, GLAS does not suit that particular area.