Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not doubt the effort put in by departmental staff. We deal with them on an ongoing basis, especially at committee level. However, the Minister of State and the Department need to look again at the use of flexibility in the processing of the various applications.

4 o’clock

It should be possible to put a note on a file that explains what the situation is and why the money should be paid, and which would allow it to be paid. Surely there must be a record showing that it complies with the regulations. It should not be as rigid as the computer blocking it and then it not being dealt with for months and being put to the back of the pile. That needs to be examined.

In respect of preparedness for these schemes, I am aware that the likes of GLAS are big schemes and that it was the first year of GLAS. I take that point. However, we were assured many times by the Minister of State, Deputy Doyle, and the Minister, Deputy Creed, that they were on top of it and would be prepared and that all the systems would be up and running, yet it all fell flat and farmers were left to suffer without their payments. We cannot see that type of thing happening again. In particular, I ask for a review to ensure there is flexibility to apply common sense. The rules must absolutely be complied with but this must be done in a way that ensures that farmers are not made to suffer repeatedly.

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