Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that approximately half of the commonage management plans have been submitted to date. Payments will issue in these cases and in all other cases

as commonage management plans are commenced on the system. My understanding, which is subject to correction, is that this process can be commenced but not completed. In some cases, there might be a degree of work to be done to complete the plan.

However, once a farmer engages, he or she leaves an electronic thumbprint, I presume, and there is some measurement of the advisor on the system that is sufficient to clear those farmers for payment. The fact is that it has been out there so long. We do not require full completion. As long as farmers have engaged with the system and put something up, they will be cleared for payment. That is not an unreasonable compromise in the circumstances.

We hope that the outstanding nutrient management plans and commonage management plans will arrive in sufficient numbers to enable us to pay practically all applicants.