Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before returning to Mr. Cunningham, I have some questions. There is a high level of demand for this product and all three banks have waiting lists. Co-operatives, such as Glanbia with its milk flex loan, are developing similar products. Is it fair to say that the banks are playing catch-up in providing credit to the farming sector considering that the co-operatives are already doing this? It took the Government to come up with a fund and we have been waiting to a certain extent for the banks to come to the party to provide the funding that is badly needed as indicated by the demand.

I come back to the issue with the tillage sector. Mr. Cunningham explained the figures and some of the localised issues. Would it be fair to say that the tillage sector and the pig sector have not been availing of the fund in large numbers because of their difficult circumstances? Following a number of difficult years, they do not have the same ability to make repayments. Tillage farmers in particular have had four or five very difficult years and have had to contend with weather events. Is that why they have not been coming forward and are not able to access the funds?