I will also raise the issue concerning the GLAS scheme. As the Minister stated, this affects up to 9,000 farmers who are waiting for their payments. When they come to us and we contact the Department, nine times out of ten we are told there is some stop on the payment but a day or two later it is removed. The issue is usually not on the farmer's side but something in the Department. Many feel that there is something in the Department's IT system that seems to be blocking the payments. Will the Minister confirm that this may be the case? If it is the case, will he accept that a payment delayed is a payment denied? These farmers need to get their money as quickly as possible. What can be done to resolve the issue?

I assure Deputy Martin Kenny that every effort is being made to clear payments as quickly as possible. The Department has no interest in delaying payments to individual members. As I stated to Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, the number of outstanding applications is somewhat less than 9,000 and the scheme is now open to more than 50,000 farmers. I appreciate that is not the message those who are waiting want to hear. In the round, delays exist that are due to incomplete documentation being furnished and logistical reasons in processing payments. We are working through these issues and committing the resources within the Department to clearing the backlog as quickly as possible.