Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I am pleased the Deputy raised the issue of the disadvantaged areas scheme, DAS, which I meant to return to in response to Deputy Moynihan's earlier question. We are building an appeals mechanism into the qualification criteria for DAS in order to take account of cases where there is a genuine reason for a low stocking rate. In such instances, people will be able to appeal a decision and offer an explanation for the low stocking rate. There will be a flexibility there to make an exception in genuine cases. Such circumstances could arise where, for example, there is a death in a family, where somebody is taking over a farm or where freak weather conditions mean that stock cannot be kept on the land for more than three months. In addition, anybody who has a very low stocking rate as a consequence of participation in a commonage framework programme or some other environmental restrictions will retain their payments. In all cases where there are genuine grounds for a reconsideration of a negative decision, there will be recourse to an appeals mechanism. That will be put in place early in the new year. I want to ensure that genuine, practical farmers who are trying to farm in a way that is productive within disadvantaged areas do not lose their payments.

Unfortunately, I must leave now in order to travel to Brussels. I thank Deputy Colreavy for his good wishes in that regard. I followed quota and total allowable catch, TAC, negotiations each December during my time in opposition because I have been interested in fishing for a long time. I always wondered about the adrenalin rush of being a Minister representing a big industry. I am looking forward to that challenge in the next few days and I assure the Deputy we will be in close contact with the industry during that process.

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