Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am not aware off hand where the appeals specific to TAMS would be but I very much hear the Deputy's point. It is something I have come across on too many occasions. In terms of existing TAMS schemes, whenever farmers enter contracts, the terms and conditions are set and must be adhered to. Where they are not adhered to, that can lead to real challenges and circumstances such as those outlined by the Deputy. Looking not just to TAMS but across the various schemes that will be there in the next CAP strategic plan, it is really important we ensure there is proportionality regarding checks and balances and that any penalties are proportionate to what went wrong. TAMS is a very specific example of it. The figures involved can be quite high. The stakes can be really high for the farm family. In many instances, it is its once-in-a-generation investment and if someone is left in a situation where he or she cannot avail of it, it can have nightmarish implications for a family. I am very conscious of that, particularly in terms of how we structure the schemes as part of the CAP strategic plan. The terms and conditions of existing schemes are there, are auditable and are part of the contract signed up to. In terms of the schemes we are putting in place, it is something we must be very conscious of.