Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The witnesses are very welcome. The organisation is young. From the first meetings it had, it was obvious that there was a huge sector of farmers who did not feel they were being represented properly and that their voices were being heard. They are dealing with issues that are not being raised enough by the range of farming organisations out there. While the witnesses wanted to raise other matters today, the matters they have raised are very important and I commend them.

The first question is on the charter of rights we are all told about regarding inspections. The witnesses made a perfectly reasonable, sensible proposal that inspections be concluded by mid-August and that any problems be notified by mid-September to allow people to deal with issues in due course and receive their payments. What is the point of the charter of rights for farmers if it is not being implemented? It is a very grand title, but what is the point if it is not working? The witnesses have met the Minister, Deputy Michael Creed. What are he and his departmental officials saying? As the Chairman indicated, the committee will raise the matters with the Minister and his Department.

I am based in Donegal, where the areas of natural constraint issue is very important. If a scheme that is supposed to assist farmers who are in areas of natural constraints is being diluted, it is not fair. It will impact on the west of Ireland particularly in a very unfair way. I listened to Mr. O'Donnell speaking on the agriculture show on Highland Radio and he said he had been in Brussels. What was he told in Brussels and how does he feel it should instruct the Department's deliberations when it is seeking to review the scheme and make it fair for all farmers? I thank the witnesses for coming in.