Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There has been quite a bit of surprise among people, particularly with regard to the payments and why they should not or could not be online. Many years ago, all of us on the old system were told to send in a bank account number or we would not get paid. If it is online, at least it gets processed and cleared and goes out in a batch.

I have just taken a few minutes to read the rules. Is the issue that the GLAS scheme is excluded, or is it the restrictive nature of the measures? For instance, the rules state that the GLAS action of "consolidation of solitary bees" is "allowed along with the OFS payment," but the next one, which is breeding waders, is allowable only where the OFS payment is foregone for that area. Is that the issue? Can the witnesses clarify whether it is completely out, or is it the selection of measures that makes it restrictive for smaller organic farmers? The group now has a list of questions, one of which concerns the certification body. No one knows who or what it is or whether it is private or public. Is it the Organic Trust? Who or what is it?