Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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It is only the people actively farming who receive payments and only those actively farming need to be part of the 50% or 80% figure.

The independent appeals system outside the Department for the land parcel identification system, LPIS, is in place and is chaired by Mr. Padraig Gibbons. Farmers who are not happy with the departmental appeals system, which is a separate appeals office from everything else in the Department and operates independently, can go to an outside committee chaired by Mr. Padraig Gibbons. He used to be the head of Connacht Gold and was a very popular choice. One third of the LPIS appeals going to the departmental appeals system are successful. We have an active appeals system that is functioning, working for farmers and listening to what people are saying.

The Deputy asked about the broader appeal system for all disallowances and penalties from regulations to cross-compliance. It is a separate issue but I want to provide reassurance on LPIS. The independent appeals system outside the Department is functioning and working for farmers. That is not to say that everyone will like the outcome of cases but it is independent.

It would be unrealistic to suggest that because we set up a beef forum, which is working well, it will start setting prices for beef. We must get real. The market determines beef prices, as does the share of margin that each link in the chain gets, including farmers, processors and retailers. My job is to ensure farmers are protected in that chain because the others are big enough to look after themselves. The beef forum is the first time the Government has put in place a structure that allows each of the players and all of the State bodies involved, including Bord Bia, the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, ICBF, Teagasc and the Department, to be involved in discussions. We have blunt and direct discussions and a series of decisions taken will be beneficial to the beef sector. This includes increased promotional activity, the consideration of the direct contacts between farmers and those they are supplying, and an improved communication structure so that farmers understand the spec issues and quality issues asked of them. There is confusion and annoyance in the farming community that the spec has been changed, particularly in the lead-in to winter last year. We also have to respond to retailers' demands, many of which are uncompromising, in respect of meat being imported to the UK. Beef prices in the UK have dramatically reduced in recent weeks and it is not a major surprise that we have seen some weakening of prices. We will continue to work on this and both beef forum meetings have been useful. Most of the players involved share that view.