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

There are independent ecologists all over the country. We have inspectors and we have a job to do. Our inspectors are very experienced. They understand commonage and how it works and marginal land and how it works. In this case there was an inspection. There was another inspection to verify that, which happens all of the time. There was another inspection after that to verify the verification, as it were, because people were not happy and were raising concerns about it. The appeal process was gone through fully. I asked the previous Secretary General of the Department to look at it because the issue was raised. We are trying to get to the bottom of it and to be fair to the farmers.

At the same time we have to ensure we are consistent with the rules and regulations. Otherwise we will be audited by the Commission and we will be exposed.

We have issued the guidelines document, which Deputy Fitzmaurice seems to be dismissing even though most farmers have welcomed it. All farming organisations have welcomed it. There are clearer guidelines than ever before available now in terms of what is eligible and what is not eligible, and they are in the form of pictures and clear language in order that farmers can understand them.

See this speech in context