Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Quite a number of times in his opening remarks, Mr. Moroney referred to the LESS equipment and the failure of the Government to allow contractors to fit into the grant scheme for that equipment. I absolutely agree that LESS equipment and technology has been proven to be environmentally beneficial. It can have a positive impact on water quality in particular but also on emissions levels. It is laughable that somebody living beside a DART station, with a bus passing by every day of the week and a cycle lane nearby can get a grant towards a new electric car but somebody who is purchasing this type of equipment, regardless of his or her status, is not able to draw down Government support, despite the fact that the benefits would be multiples of those arising from the use of an electric car. This must be addressed and there are two issues at play. The first is the future of TAMS. The compellability of this type of technology will mean, ironically, that it will not qualify for grant aid at all, potentially. There is also the issue that Mr. Moroney raised and I want to delve into that a little more. Going back to the 1,000 members, how many of them are farmers as well as being contractors?