Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The income pressure affecting farmers has been well discussed.

Will the Minister ensure that 70% of the basic payments scheme is paid in October? If so, when will he give a commitment to do so? Considering the financial pressure that farmers are experiencing, it is important that the commitment is given earlier in order to reassure them that the payment is on its way.

A commitment has been given to increase areas of natural constraint payments by €25 million in budget 2018. Will the Minister bring that increase forward into next year's budget?

Deputy Cahill and many other members mentioned the massive income pressure faced by farmers. The dairy sector, in particular, is under severe pressure at present. Does the Department have the ability - on foot of a request to Europe - to provide low-interest bridging finance to farmers? Such an initiative would enable farmers to pay merchant bills and having to produce underneath the cost of production. Will the Department introduce a scheme to provide low-income finance to farmers? Will the Department engage with Europe to put a structure in place to deliver such a scheme?