Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have heard this. There are no proposals from the French authorities or the Commission that we have not supported, but we have not seen any prospect of a Commission rescue package for the tillage sector emerging at European Council level. I ask the Deputy to believe me what I say we would be in the vanguard if such a package were to be made available. It has been suggested we are not supporting a French initiative in this area for some reason, but that is not the case. There is no substance or truth in that suggestion. A specific provision of €11.1 million has been made for the livestock sector within the €150 million loan scheme fund to be administered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland. A further €4 million has been ringfenced for the non-livestock sector, including tillage. We have to monitor its drawdown to ensure each sector will receive the appropriate amount. We have to ensure there will be no breach of entitlement in any sector.