270. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when applications will be accepted under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3795/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraGLAS (the Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme) is part of a suite of proposed measures under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) which was submitted to the European Commission in July. The Commission services have notified us of their observations on the Scheme, to which my Department has provided immediate and detailed replies. Discussions are now continuing with the Commission, with a view to gaining approval at the earliest possible date. Once approval is granted, my Department will move to open the Scheme for applications.
