Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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382. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set down his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding agricultural advice and planning and the timeframe for the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11892/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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At the outset, I wish to acknowledge the importance of the role of Agricultural Advisors in terms of GLAS. Their professional expertise and experience are vital to the preparation of reliable GLAS applications that fully comply with regulatory and scheme requirements. That is why I have made it mandatory for all GLAS applications to be submitted by an approved GLAS Advisor.

The negotiations with the European Commission in relation to the details of the Scheme were long and protracted, which is why the earliest date I could open it was 23rd February, 2015. I appreciate that the deadline of 30th April for submission of applications under GLAS is tight but there was no real opportunity to extend this without impinging upon the regulatory deadline for direct payment applications generally, which has been fixed for many years now as 15 May. With this in mind, I have been working closely with colleagues in Europe to see can this regulatory deadline be extended and I am delighted to say that we have achieved some flexibility on this front, with the European Commission extending the overall deadline up until 15th June, 2015. In deciding whether to now extend the GLAS deadline, I will take account of the feedback from farmers and advisors, the need for the efficient management of the different Departmental on-line systems and the effect, if any, on commencement dates in GLAS.

As regards the question of the training of Advisors for GLAS, training days were held in several locations throughout the country in November and February and were very well attended. In terms of the GLAS on-line system, this system has been custom-built to allow Advisors to access their clients' lands, with pre-determined assets and characteristics on those farms identified in order to aid the Advisor in choosing the correct actions. The system is designed to streamline the application process, with built-in validations to assist in the preparation of the application. From the feedback received the system is relatively easy to navigate, once the user follows the user manual provided. In addition there is a dedicated GLAS e-mail address and Lo Call phone number which deals with any queries farmers or Advisors may have in relation to the Scheme or in relation to the on-line application system. My officials are dealing with these queries promptly and any issues arising are examined and acted upon if necessary. Furthermore, information sessions on GLAS and the BPS Scheme which commenced on 16th February, 2015 are being rolled out across the country and are open to all to attend and my officials are available for question and answer sessions at these meetings.

The issue of Commonage Management Plans is one which my officials have dealt with at Commonage Information meetings held at various regional locations in September and October of last year. A dedicated and separate session was held for Advisors in most locations, at which it was outlined that in order for these plans to realise an environmental return on these hills, one cohesive plan for all participating GLAS shareholders was needed. This, of necessity, means one Master Commonage Advisor, who has responsibility for deciding, along with shareholders, the activities and stocking densities suitable to the entire commonage. It is not feasible for all GLAS Advisors to draw up an individual Commonage Management Plan for their clients and it would not be acceptable on environmental grounds.

My officials will be in direct contact with the Advisor who raised these issues to answer the specific technical questions addressed directly to them in relation to the operation of GLAS.