Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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264. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if fenced mountain land owned by one farmer, which is not designated a natural heritage site, or for Natura 2000, and which does not qualify under condition five of the requirement of low input permanent pasture, will be eligible for an area-based payment under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; the reason that this type of land will not be eligible; when exactly the same type of land, owned jointly, in shares by a number of farmers will be eligible; his views that it is fair to discriminate between farmers on the basis of the ownership model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10201/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Priority access to the GLAS scheme is based on the environmental assets found on individual farms, having regard to the priorities laid down by my Department, following consultation with other stakeholders and the EU Commission.

The payment offered on commonage land is justified on the basis of one management plan being put in place for the commonage with shareholders agreeing to implement that plan and to work together to protect against both over-and under-grazing. There is no such requirement on privately-owned land, which is not designated as habitat.

It is a matter, then, for each farmer to discuss with his or her advisor the actions best suited to the holding in the preparation of a GLAS application.