Fianna Fáil is calling for the commonage management plans (CMP) under the GLAS scheme for farmers to be extended.

The party said the online application process only went live in late September, leaving farmers with very little time to lodge their submission.

Spokesperson on Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said: "I am urging Minister Creed to extend the October 31st deadline given the very short window open to farmers to submit these plans online. He must also ensure that there are no delays to the advanced payment for commonage farmers who have enrolled in GLAS.

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"The Minister cannot ignore the fact that the issues relating to the application process are beyond the control of commonage farmers. The online system only became operational from late September, while the submission button only went live on October 12th. There have also been reports of difficulties logging into the online system.

"Farmers are only being given teo weeks to submit their commonage management plans. Around 9,000 farmers could be affected, and unfortunately the Minister is failing to recognise the IT shortcomings within his own Department. Once again we are seeing farmers penalised for issues that are beyond their control. It's deeply unfair."

(CD)