Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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511. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to request the European Union Commissioner, Mr. Phil Hogan, to review the basic payment scheme and greening rules (details supplied). [15589/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I and my Department are in regular contact with Commissioner Hogan and his officials in relation to the implementation of the Basic Payment Scheme and the operation of the rules with regard to Greening. 2015 marked the first year of these new direct payment schemes and, as might be expected, Ireland and other Member States have had to deal with many issues related to the interpretation of the regulations and the rules governing the operation of the schemes. We have submitted a range of proposals to the Commission aimed at more effectively achieving the outcomes envisaged under the schemes, while at the same time maintaining flexibility for Member States to implement these provisions in accordance with their domestic farming circumstances. The Commissioner has responded with a number of simplification initiatives, and has indicated that a further package of measures in relation to Greening will be presented to Member States at the Council of Ministers meeting later this month.

I look forward to examining the content of these latest proposals, and I intend to continue my dialogue with Commissioner Hogan with a view to ensuring that scheme requirements are met in a way that minimises the potential burden for farmers and for Member State administrations.