Mr. Paul Savage:

I thank the Deputy. On the ranking selection criteria, we are beginning to look at that now. Would would it look like? Effectively, we have ranking selection criteria that are already laid out for how the scheme operates. They focus on things like the area of the holding. We give certain marks to the size, area and intensity level of the holding. I cannot remember all the criteria off the top of my head, Ms Brennan might add one or two details. The criteria there at the moment would be those we would apply if we were going to start ranking selection in the next tranche or the one after. The question would then be how you deploy those. If there is any consideration of changing the prioritisation around what types of applications will be prioritised or ranked highly, we would then have to look at the ranking selection criteria separately. If we wanted to change them altogether, we would have to go through a separate process of consulting with the CAP strategic plan, CSP, monitoring committee and agreeing on a change to the criteria.

There are already established criteria there from the start of the scheme and the question is whether we will apply those ranking selection criteria as is, if we do that at all, or whether we would in some way consider there might be a need for additional criteria or different kinds of criteria. That is an issue we will be reflecting on over the next number of weeks. That is in the context of the broader flagging the Minister has done around the potential need to apply them in the future.