Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise several points which were not covered by the Minister's reply. The perception exists that these schemes are not properly targeted, or at least there is a lack of clarity with regard to what precisely is being targeted. As I understand it, there is also a risk that the newer member states will place a big demand on Pillar 2 because they will be heavily dependent on these payments. Therefore, it is all the more necessary to protect Ireland's pillar 2 allocation.

With regard to disadvantaged areas, I find it increasingly difficult to answer people who ask me what exactly are disadvantaged areas, and what exactly Europe and the Irish Government are trying to do. People farm land where, whether for environmental reasons or because of the nature of the land, it is not possible to have good stocking densities. People receive letters because they have fewer than 0.3 units per hectare and they ask me what is meant by disadvantaged status. What supports should be made available to those in this situation? Given the dissatisfaction with the new environmental programme are there any plans to introduce a broader scheme such as REPS? The Minister will agree that what we need to do is preserve family farming, and many people in the west and north-west are working land which is difficult to work and where high productivity is difficult.

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