Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I picked stones during many a summer but I have never cut hay. We do not believe it is necessary at this time to convene the national emergency co-ordination group because we are at status yellow. Given the nature of the weather we are having, perhaps that should be "status bronze". We will keep it under review.

On GLAS, I am advised by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine that there is no law or regulation prohibiting farmers from cutting hay before 1 July. Under GLAS, however, some farmers have opted into the traditional hay meadow action. This is a voluntary action as part of a voluntary scheme. If farmers opt into the scheme, they are compensated at a rate of €315 per ha up to a maximum of 10 ha. This is a biodiversity measure and will deliver approximately €18 million in payments this year. The purpose of it is to maintain and conserve grassland flora and fauna.

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