Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ten years ago, the land cover was 1%. We have doubled it. The target at that time was 5%, set by the Deputy's former colleague and my predecessor, then Minister of State, Mr. Trevor Sargent. The scheme, when it was reopened, took in everybody who applied. It was the highest intake ever. It was unprecedented. Everybody who was in the scheme had their plan rolled right to 2020. That is why there are 1,700 farmers in it. We more than doubled the budget, from €4.5 million to €10 million. The reason that the public consultation period is so short is to try to ensure we receive proposals at an appropriate time this year from the group.

I also acknowledge the work of its predecessor, the organic focus group, which set targets, all of which were achieved. We are growing in the right direction. The purpose of the strategy is to set out some of the answers to the questions the Deputy has raised.

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