Regarding the schemes being put in place by the Government, we are told environmentally friendly farming is the way forward, particularly in the European market. Protection of the environment is of the utmost importance but here the Government has made a mess of REPS II. That is an important scheme which meets the social, environmental and income needs of farmers. It is anticipated that 70,000 farmers will join the REPS II and if they do it will automatically satisfy EU water quality requirements. However, the number in REPS II today is 10,000 fewer than when REPS I ceased two years ago. Why are farmers not joining? Because the payment rates are simply too low and there are too many restrictions. The scheme is too complex and bureaucratic and investment costs are too high. The scheme must be improved so that €250 per hectare is paid and the limit is raised from 40 hectares to 60 acres, or from 100 acres to 150 acres. Those on less than 40 hectares should get an increase from €6,000 at present to €10,000. The Minister has taken €50 million out of REPS II this year. That implies the uptake of the scheme has been deliberately held back and postponing the review of the scheme to 2003 means that any proposal to the European Commission will not be passed for implementation until 2004. Farmers therefore receive the current rate, which is too low, and that is why they are not joining the scheme.