Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties surrounding the arrangements recently announced relating to REPS 4; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13252/08]

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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The arrangements for REPS 4 are derived from a new regulation, which reflects the European Commission's objective of integrating and harmonising the operation of the various farm payment schemes, including the single payment scheme, REPS and the disadvantaged areas scheme. For REPS 4, this means that applications to join the scheme must be submitted by 15 May each year. Payments will relate to the number of months in a year during which a farmer is in a REPS 4 contract and will be released in two phases of 75% and 25%.

The arrangements we announced recently emerged from intensive discussions between the Department's officials and their counterparts at the Commission. In those discussions, my officials pointed out that the previous arrangements had worked well since REPS was first introduced in 1994 and had contributed to the success of the scheme, with almost 60,000 farmers participating in REPS 2 and REPS 3 by the end of 2006. The Commission was adamant, however, that the new regulation must apply to REPS 4. The discussions, therefore, focused on how to apply the new arrangements in a way that mitigated as far as possible any inconvenience they would create for farmers. It was in this context that the Commission agreed to special transitional arrangements for farmers in REPS 2 completing their contracts during 2008. As long as these farmers have submitted applications for REPS by the new closing date of 15 May, they can submit their farm plans thereafter and still receive payment during the year. The Department's officials have written to every farmer in this category to inform them with regard to what they need to do.

This was a significant concession by the Commission. If it had not agreed to these special transitional arrangements at a late stage in the discussions, farmers completing their REPS 2 contracts this year would have had to submit their farm by 15 May or else wait until 2009 to join REPS 4. The Commission insisted, however, that the new regulation must apply strictly to all other farmers joining REPS 4 in 2008 and to everyone joining the new scheme from next year onward.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. There are two issues at stake, which run parallel to each other. The first is the revised pay arrangements and the second is the deadline of 15 May. Will the Minister of State confirm that it is the Department's policy to facilitate the maximum take-up of REPS 4. If that is the case, does he not agree that — this is the view of Teagasc advisers and independent consultants — the 15 May deadline by which forms must be completed will be extremely difficult to meet, particularly in light of the volume of applications to be processed? This deadline coincides with that relating to single farm payments applications, etc.

Will the Minister of State consider using a device previously employed by the Department in respect of the farm waste management scheme, namely, the expression of interest form? Such forms could be submitted by 15 May and completed applications could then be submitted by mid-September. This would facilitate a much greater take-up of REPS 4. This package has a potential worth of €70 million to agriculture in this country. Will the Minister of State consider implementing the proposal I have put forward in order to maximise participation in the scheme?

I am appalled that the Department was involved in deception during its promotion of REPS 4 throughout the country, particularly when it was fully aware that revised payment arrangements were on the way. It did not advise farmers of this fact and encouraged them to transfer from REPS 3 to REPS 4. The Department also encouraged new entrants to become involved in REPS 4 but did not inform them that the payments would be back-loaded rather than front-loaded. This will cause severe difficulties for farmers who have obligations to meet in respect of their plans. Will the Minister of State indicate whether this matter has been decided upon and that there is no possible way for it to be addressed at EU level? Will he say whether he has failed in this regard?

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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The Deputy is absolutely correct. It is extremely important that there should be a maximum take-up of REPS 4. I feel particularly strongly about this in light of how closely it is linked to the development of the organic sector. There are many factors involved and I share the Deputy's enthusiasm for them.

What we have arrived at, as a result of banging together a number of heads, is a compromise and this is particularly predicated on the fact that it is an EU regulation. I reject any impression that anyone was involved in deliberately misleading people. REPS 2 and REPS 3 had been in operation and no red flags were raised. There was, as a result, a natural expectation that REPS 4 could continue in a similar vein.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The roadshow toured the country to inform people and the Minister knew of the forthcoming arrangements.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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The Deputy will be able to reply to my comments in a moment.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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What Deputy Creed stated is completely untrue.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister knows it is the case.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Minister of State, without interruption.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister is preparing to depart and leave this mess behind her.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I previously answered a parliamentary question from the Deputy——

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I ask the Minister and the Deputy to allow the Minister of State to answer the question.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I was enjoying the exchange. However, I will continue with my reply.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State will continue in the Department but the Minister might not.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I am trying to answer the Deputy.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The one thing the Deputies should learn is that they will not be over here for a while.

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Sweet parsnips all around.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I will strive manfully to answer the question, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I appreciate that 15 May is a limitation, but the farm plans can follow on from that. We are minimising the expectation of compliance by 15 May. Teagasc resources for this purpose have been increased to ensure——

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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It is not just Teagasc; private consultants are involved as well.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I am sure people will get help from wherever they can, but Teagasc is there for everybody.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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It does not deal with everybody.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I want to make sure it is clear to the Deputy that Teagasc is getting additional resources to help in every way. We cannot move back the date of 15 May but we can do everything possible to help people comply.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Can I ask the Minister of State to clarify one point?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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We are well over time.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Did the Minister of State say that expressions of interest would be accepted and that completed plans submitted later would be acceptable?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Only if the person concerned is completing REPS 2 this year. In that case, one just ticks a box.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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That is not good enough.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Everyone else just ticks a box. If one is new, one must have a plan.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I appreciate the joined-up Government response. We must move on to Question No. 70.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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It is not good enough.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Five thousand people are already in the scheme.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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There may be 70,000 potential applicants. We will see how many get in.