Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I appreciate the opportunity, and I will be brief.

I ask the Minister to indicate whether he is re-opening the agri-environment options scheme, AEOS. He indicated last week at the IFA AGM that he would consider opening it on a limited basis. That would be welcome in Donegal and on the west coast, provided that commonage land and natural heritage areas are eligible, along with special areas of conservation; that mountain-type land that would not be included is also eligible for payment; that the restriction on feeding concentrates to sheep during lambing season on species-rich grassland is removed; and that the commonage and SAC payment is increased from €75 to €150, as I mentioned the last time we had questions and answers here. In addition, can consideration be given to increasing the maximum payment generally, not only for new applicants but also for existing recipients, from €4,000 to €5,000?

When will farmers receive their payments for 2010? The Minister might also outline the changes that have been made to the disadvantaged area payment scheme, which will have drastic consequences for farmers who are in commonage frameworks and so on. He indicated last week that he intended to introduce a number of changes, some of which I have read about. In particular, we need to examine stocking rates on SAC land and NHA land, and the situation of those who are in the rural environment protection scheme or the agri-environment option scheme or are within the confines of a commonage framework plan.