Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are trying to build up a picture of the national herd in terms of the DNA and performance of the animals in it. We will pay farmers to assist us in doing that. We are increasing the payment involved significantly up to €80 per animal.

We need to ensure matters are managed in the context of the green low carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, and commonage areas. GLAS is quite different from REPS because it involves paying farmers for doing specific things on their properties. I refer, for example, to dry stone wall maintenance, setting aside areas for nature and wildlife habitation, protecting watercourses or whatever.