Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

The issue arose in the context of a process problem which related to changing maps, in the first instance, and then digitising those changes. Delays arose as a result of the problem to which I refer. I accept that it may have taken longer than should have been the case to arrive at a resolution in respect of this problem. However, that resolution will ensure that there are unlikely to be delays in respect of AEOS 1 or AEOS 2 in the future because digitised maps are now available to the Department and to the farmers concerned.

What happened in this case was a classic teething problem. We may have further such problems in future when we move to a new CAP, which has the potential of bringing with it an entirely new set of environmental schemes. We need to learn lessons from the AEOS experience in order to try to minimise the likelihood of a recurrence of delays such as that under discussion. On the whole, my Department is more efficient now than it ever has been in the context of issuing payments. A particular issue arose in this instance which is unfortunate but we are trying to correct matters.

See this speech in context