Mr. Paud Evans:

There is provision for new entrants. We have lots of new entrant applications under the new regime. Provision will also be made in the next few weeks for the so-called Scottish derogation which relates to people who were farming in 2013, including those who had submitted an application because they were participating in the REPS or a similar scheme, as well as those who had not submitted an application. As such, new land will be brought into the system. I note that Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív raised the question of farmers increasing their reference areas. By all means, if their land is eligible, they did work in recent times and want to restore things, they should declare it. The number of entitlements will be based on the position in 2013 or 2015, whichever is the lower. It is very important that farmers have a buffer. If they were allocated 50 entitlements in 2015, they are declaring 60 hectares and if there is an issue about land subsequently, any resulting reduction will be based on the number of entitlements held or lands declared, whichever is the lower. That provides farmers with a buffer, which is very important for them.