Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important that people understand the process. We opened GLAS early in order that planners could get applications onto the system. All of the preparatory work for the scheme takes time. A plan must be put together and planners must work with farmers to ensure they consider all of the options available to them. Planners are involved in GLAS because it is a complex scheme. The farmer and the planner agree a GLAS plan, including for commonage areas. As commonage plans will take a little more time to implement, we have provided that commonage farmers need only indicate that they will commit to a commonage GLAS plan before the deadline of 22 May. Their plans must then be finalised before the end of August.

We have taken a practical approach that has allowed planners, since February, to get on with the job of acquiring all of the information they need to have a full commonage plan. Farmers can now submit their applications online before the closing date of 22 May. The Department anticipates that we will receive approximately 25,000 completed applications by the closing date, whereas the Deputy stated we would not receive 10,000 applications, which reflects his usual pessimism. If the final figure is slightly below 25,000, so be it and if it is slightly more than 25,000, all the better.

Many farmers who are concerned they may not be able to submit an application before the deadline have asked me whether I will reopen GLAS in the autumn. The Department has indicated it will do so to allow farmers to participate in the scheme from 1 January 2016.

See this speech in context