My Department issued a circular to all commonage advisors detailing the process for assigning commonage advisors to individual commonages.
Applications by advisors were required to be accompanied by the signatures of shareholders supporting their application for assignment. In cases where more than one advisor applied, appointments were made in accordance with the advised criteria. When appointments were made the successful advisor was notified in writing and where more than one advisor had applied unsuccessful candidates were also notified and given a right of review if dissatisfied.
Where no commonage advisor expressed an interest in a particular commonage, a further circular issued on 5 August again inviting expressions of interest by 20 August. Where no application was received on foot of this second circular my Department proceeded to nominate and assign advisors.
My Department did not set any rules or guidelines in relation to fees but the GLAS payment to farmers with commonage was increased from €79 per hectare to €120 per hectare to take account of additional costs to the farmer.
The application and selection process required the support of shareholders and the governing circular provided that in cases where there was serious disagreement with the advisor appointed the matter could be referred to the Commonage Implementation Committee.
The detailed information requested on the appointment of Advisors to individual commonages has been forwarded directly to the Deputy concerned.
