Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The previous and present Governments are culpable. The delay in making payments is inexcusable because those involved in all other sectors are being paid. A figure of 75% has been paid out this month, for whatever reason.

We can suspect the reason for it, but it is being paid out this month. I am delighted that is the case because everybody involved in the agricultural sector has many bills to pay coming up to Christmas and receiving early payment in this respect makes a big difference.

I note the figures involved in respect of the certification body. For a farmer with 12 hectares the amount to be paid is €2,200, for a farmer with 30 hectares it is €3,000, and for a farmer with 50 hectares it is €3,100. I cannot honestly understand that. I could understand it if a farmer with 12 hectares had to pay €1,500 and a farmer with 30 hectares had to pay €2,800 or €3,000. A farmer who increases his hectares from 12 to 30 has to pay €3,000, which is an increase of €800 on what he would have to pay for 12 hectares but a farmer who increases his hectares from 30 to 50, which is a difference of 20 hectares, has to pay only an extra €100. That is mind-boggling, to say the least.

What does the certification process entail? It was said the certification should be done by the Department, but an outside body is to be involved in this context It is a money-gathering exercise that is being paid for by the organic farmer producers. The representative body should raise with the Equality Authority the fact that smaller organic farmers are being denied the two payments while the larger organic farmers are getting the two payments. Has the representative body considered raising that issue with the Equality Authority or with the Ombudsman, both of which entities are supposed to give those who are more discriminated against an opportunity to get justice? The representatives should consider doing that. I thank them for their presentation.