Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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362. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria his Department have defined in accordance with European Union Regulation 1307/2013 Article 4(1)(c)(ii) and Article 4(1)(c)(iii); if he is in agreement with a senior official (details supplied) from his Department stating that no such criteria can be defined for marginal lands, such as commonage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15473/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the provisions of the Basic Payment Scheme, farmers need to declare an eligible hectare for each payment entitlement held in order to benefit from payment. The hectares declared must be eligible and must have an agricultural activity carried out on them. The situation in Ireland has not changed since the Single Payment Scheme was replaced by the Basic Payment Scheme at the beginning of 2015. Eligible lands include those lands with herbaceous grasses and other grazable vegetation. I am, however, pursuing options that may assist farmers, who have marginal lands, in particular those that have designated land, in meeting the requirements of the Direct Payment regulations. My Department officials are in direct contact with the EU Commission with the intention of pursuing all possible options including the provisions of Article 4 (1) (c) ( iii ) and Article 4 (1) (h) and bringing the matter to an early conclusion.