Mr. Bill Callanan:

On not drawing grants, I had to quell many of those conversations early this year and I have been crystal clear. The nitrates regulation is a regulation of the State; it is not contingent on someone being an applicant under basic payment. Yes, we apply penalties for somebody non-compliant through cross-reporting etc. in relation to it. It is primarily a regulation of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage but it is a basic regulation of the State, irrespective of whether a farmer decides to apply for basic payment. They are still required to comply with the nitrates regulation with regard to storage and spreading. All those actions apply anyway, irrespective of whether a farmer decides to engage with the basic payment system.