Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

However, that will not happen for another 40 years and Deputy Creed and I will not be too concerned about it.

We are returning to the position prior to the ewe premium stage. The Deputy is correct. There has been a considerable reduction in the number of sheep in the country. It was on that basis we came together to consider the proposals we could implement and it was from there the Malone report emerged.

The Deputy is acutely aware that we are not in a position, in a decoupled area, to introduce direct payments. On the basis of an appreciation of the difficulties involved, however, we introduced a special scheme under both the national reserve and REPS 4. We are not in a position to witness the final outcome of REPS 4 as a result of difficulties experienced in clarifying the matter. Clarity now exists, however, and I await the outcome of the applications on 15 May.

Deputy Creed is correct. This issue can be dealt with under the health check. However, we will be obliged to proceed carefully.

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