Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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It was to be 30,000 farmers but the figure has probably exceeded everybody's expectations. The figure I saw was about 44,000 applicants. That is great to see. It reinforces what we have frequently said in this committee, that farmers are steadfast in their commitment to the environment and want to do right. There is probably a responsibility on us as partners in Government to impress upon the Minister, which we have done, that the scheme needs to be expanded and more money needs to be secured. As Dr. Brennan rightly said it is voluntary. Underpinning any voluntary effort is an enthusiasm and commitment which we are currently getting from farmers. I would not like to see that being lost. The message we need to send back is that we need to see at least an overture from the Minister and the Department that the opportunity is potentially there to expand the scheme. Dr. Brennan said that tranche 2 will kick in but of those 44,000 farmers it is fair to say that perhaps one third of that number will fall out. They will not be in tranche 2, but perhaps in tranche 3.