Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. I am a contractor. As the lads would say, I am not a very big operator but when we are in politics some smart Alec will make a dig. I am a contractor and I do slurry and bailing. I might do 8,000 bales. I have just done a tally that if 50% of FCI members are not eligible for grant aid then between 30,000 to 40,000 farmers throughout the country would not have the offer of a contractor under the low-emission slurry spreading system unless they buy it themselves. At present in most places, unless there is a derogation, slurry can be spread with a splash plate. New gear can be bought and put on the back of the tankers but it is awkward enough with some of them. What is coming more and more into play is the pipe system with the reel and the pump. Given how the prices of 2,500 gallon or 3,000 gallon tankers have increased people are looking at an investment of the guts of €50,000 and another €8,000 for an agitator. People are probably looking at spending €50,000 or €60,000 for 700 m or 800 m of piping, a dribble bar, a compressor and a pump. I predict that with the new regulations to be introduced in 2025, if contractors cannot avail of a grant system, they will not be on the road in 2025. Do the witnesses agree?