Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 273: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans regarding any additional percentage payment on environmental schemes in acknowledgement of the additional costs of farming on the islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8320/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Payments under agri-environmental schemes must be made in accordance with the terms of Ireland's Rural Development Programme as approved by the European Commission. The current approval for the Agri-environment Options Scheme makes no provision for additional payments to island farmers. It is not my intention to bring forward proposals to amend the existing Commission approval to allow for such additional payments.