Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Department for its presentation, which contained very useful information. I agree with Deputy Fitzmaurice that in the west of Ireland, particularly along the western coast, a lot of mountain and hill land is not fertilised. I have always said that a lot of lamb and other produce coming from such areas would be organic. Some farmers may give one or two doses to a lamb and would feed and fatten them up.

I welcome the move regarding the tillage sector, because getting organically grown grain was a problem. The news is very welcome for organic farmers.

A number of members have referred to delays in payments, which was a major problem. We received representations from farmers in the organic sector whose payments were delayed, something which annoyed them greatly. It is good to see that the problem has been sorted out.

I missed the discussion on whether farmers can still join the scheme. It is important that we get the numbers up. Things look very positive for those people. The combination of GLAS and the organic payment will be attractive for farmers.