Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for her reply. Given that farmers with less than 20 livestock units are not eligible for grant aid under the current structure, it will be difficult for them to survive. Does the Minister accept farmers in counties such as Cavan and Monaghan who went into pig and poultry production on small acreage are not eligible either while mushroom producers are in serious difficulty?

I thank the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Smith, for their efforts to designate the remainder of County Monaghan as disadvantaged. It proves the Minister's predecessor ignored the issue and failed to deliver. I pay tribute to both of them.

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