Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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It is good to have the Minister back in. I thank him, as always, for his ongoing work in the sector. He is doing a lot of significant work. I wish to discuss a couple of points with him, some of which have been covered by my esteemed colleague and neighbour here beside me. I will try to plough the same ground again.

The agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, scheme has generated a huge response, which is great to see, with more than 46,000 applicants. Unfortunately, many farmers in my area are marginal farmers and they have been enthusiastic supporters of every environmental scheme that has been introduced to date. A large number who have contacted me will not qualify for either tier 1 or tier 2 and are, therefore, staring at the possibility of being excluded from ACRES. Most of them operate marginal holdings at a time input costs are spiralling. These are all factors beyond their control. Most of them are also dependent on an off-farm income. Those small farmers are hugely important both to the local economy but, more importantly, to the local ecology. I know the Minister has not been able to give us a definitive answer. Is there any way or means to accommodate those farmers, particularly ones who are exiting existing environmental schemes in order that they will not experience a fall-off in income and supports that will most likely force them to make a draconian decision and exit the sector?

The Minister can answer this and then I have one more question.