The commonage implementation committee will have it’s inaugural meeting next Tuesday. Chair Joe Healy, the former Macra president, will be joined by Paud Evans, head of the single payment unit, Andy McGarrigle and Lorcan O’Shea. Liam Fahy joins the committee from the Department’s inspectorate side. John Noonan, a Teagasc drystock adviser in Mayo, who has specialised in hill sheep, and Andy Bleasdale from the National Parks and Wildlife Service complete the committee.

Minister Simon Coveney said: “This group will allay any concerns or misunderstandings that may currently exist in relation to the new CAP and will work to ensure that it is workable as well as generous for commonage farmers.”

Let’s all hope so.

I’m hearing IFA, led by Pat Dunne and Flor McCarthy, are meeting with Department officials to discuss commonage issues next Wednesday – all within a week of the Westport meeting.

The game’s afoot.