Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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387. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 26 February 2015 the reason he decided not to adopt Article 4(1)(h) 1307/2014; the process followed to arrive at this decision; and in particular if consideration was given to the beneficial effects it would have had on Natura 2000 designations to adopt this article; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11998/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have listened carefully to all of the issues raised regarding the farming of these lands in Ireland. I accept that the farming of uplands in Ireland is difficult for those farmers directly involved in these regions. However, as over €1.5 billion is paid annually to farmers in Ireland under the Direct Payment Schemes, there is a need to ensure that the provisions in the governing EU Regulations are adhered in the administration of the Schemes. In reality, the lands in question were already deemed as eligible for payment under the Single Payment Scheme provided that they were grazable and were grazed. My Department is currently exploring the options, including the possibilities under Article 4(1)(h), that are open to Member States in relation to maintaining the eligibility of such marginal lands for payment under the Direct Payment Schemes.