Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for that clarification. I ask him to confirm that he expects to announce GLAS next Friday or Saturday in Castlebar. Will the Minister consider allowing farmers in tier 1 and tier 2 to access GLAS early, on a first come, first served basis? That would allow them to get going and to receive a significant payment this year. I propose this because it is highly unlikely that the number of tier 1 and tier 2 farmers will exceed the Minister's threshold of 30,000 farmers to be let into GLAS this year. I would prefer a first come, first served basis for everyone this year because the scheme is so late but failing that, will he consider it on a limited basis for tier 1 and tier 2 farmers? In other words, farmers should submit plans and if they are in tier 1 or tier 2, they will be allowed to go ahead immediately so that payments can be made. If the Minister does not do so, he will not spend the €20 million he has set aside in this year's budget for the GLAS scheme.

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