I do not have a precise figure on the number of those affected, but some 10,000 farmers are on the retirement scheme. I expect that the vast majority of them are in a regular position, that is, members of their families took over the farm when they retired. We are probably talking about a couple of thousand people. As I stated, I am in negotiations with technical experts in Brussels with regard to this group.
As regards the final text, in discussion with Commissioner Fischler on Tuesday, I noted the importance of receiving the final text, which we were promised by Christmas, as quickly as possible. He informed me we should have it by mid-March, in other words, in one month. This is important for everybody concerned because people want to know where they stand with some degree of certainty, which will not be possible until we receive the final version of the legal text.
As the Deputy is aware, we will begin to implement the mid-term review from 1 January next. The Department, therefore, wants entitlements to be issued and appeals heard and so forth before that date.
In discussions with the European Commission, the Department secured favourable arrangements for those on the scheme who were not farming during the reference period but subsequently took over the farm. Given that the farmer, as opposed to the farm, receives the entitlement, in the event that a retired farmer let his or her land to somebody else, the person who farmed the land during the reference period will be eligible for the entitlements. We have received a favourable response from the Commissioner with regard to circumstances in which a family member has taken over the family farm subsequent to the reference period. This was one of the main complaints of those on the scheme.