Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach referred to youngsters attending colleges and things being booked out. That is 6,500 youngsters over the next two to three years. Consider the ages of farmers across the country. This issue must be addressed.

I will pin it down to one important scheme for the Taoiseach, the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS. For small farmers in Mayo and across the country, will the Taoiseach give an undertaking that the same terms and conditions will apply in two weeks' time as when GLAS opened to farmers last May or will he introduce separate schemes for two neighbours with the same acreage that will create a difference of €1,500? The hedgerows aspect, which was worth €1,000, will not be allowed. There is also a change in terms of old, rich meadows and pastures. I have pinned this down to one scheme because it gets complicated in the Dáil if one discusses too many. Will the Taoiseach intervene with his Minister as regards GLAS and ensure that those farmers who enter the scheme now will get the same terms, conditions and options as those who entered it last May? Will he give me a straight answer?

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