Mr. Noel Feeney:

Deputy Fitzmaurice also asked the question regarding Department engagement. Yes, in fairness, we do have regular Department engagement, especially with the BISS section in Portlaoise. Members of our committee and council meet its representatives quite regularly on updates regarding the introduction of the scheme each year and on how, say, entitlement transfers are progressing, etc. In fairness, they are quite good in giving us the information. We also have regular meetings with the ACRES section in Johnstown Castle. We know there have been issues with ACRES since its commencement in 2023. Again, we have contact with people on a regular basis there. Mr. O'Driscoll would be involved in that. Mr. Canning, of course, is involved with engagement on a continual basis through water quality and nitrates. There is regular engagement but as our colleague has outlined, it is all on a voluntary basis. We are not paid to be there. However, we are representing over 64,000 farmers and we have to give them the best possible service that each of us can provide to our clients. The most important thing is those farmers with whom we are all concerned.