Mr. Niall Redmond:

Getting on board is in the individual's hands. Everyone with a broader stake in farming and agriculture recognises that. The IFA mentioned its recognition of it at this meeting. In the context of the fair deal scheme, a major solution to many of the issues around the continued viability of farming is to plan ahead, plan well and effect that succession planning as early as possible. This important point needs to be made. It has been an in-built incentive in the scheme from day one.

The five-year period is black and white under the primary legislation. In that light, I do not know what allowances would be made in practice if someone was at four years and 364 days. I can check it out with the HSE.