Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We all welcome the GLAS scheme and hope maximum payments will be made to all those farmers who are submitting applications, but that is not the core issue. Will the Taoiseach ensure clear and objective criteria are set for the assessment of eligibility. Probably the best formula to adopt is Article 4(1)h, to which I referred. There is a lack of flexibility and a hardness to the attitude being adopted. A hatchet job is being done on many of the farmers concerned. The worst aspect is retrospection. Many will be ruled as being ineligible to receive any payment, which will further ensure the decimation of rural Ireland. We are all aware that meetings are being held up and down the country. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice is very proactive in this repect.

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