Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 4:

In page 4, lines 16 and 17, to delete "in accordance with the provisions of subsection (1)".

This amendment allows the Minister for Finance to re-assess the provisions laid down in this legislation before enacting the scheme. It proposes that he will not be tied into the provisions of subsection 1.

I tabled this amendment because, due to the procedures of the House, I am sadly not allowed to table any substantive amendments to the Bill that would incur a cost on the Exchequer. It is not appropriate that we should have just a 25% discount across the board based on the principal owed. We should at least examine a 25% discount on arrears and the principal to encourage the people who have significant arrears. We are talking about a very small number of people, 98 in total, 49 of whom are in arrears of €1 million or more and 3 who owe €40,000. Every effort possible must be made to encourage these 98 people to avail of this scheme.

Many of the 49 farmers who are in arrears in excess of €1 million do not have the facilities to avail of this scheme and have bad credit ratings with banks. In the interests of ensuring cost effectiveness from the point of view of the Department of Agriculture and Food's collection of arrears, it makes sense to leave the Minister for Finance's hands open to allow him to provide additional incentives if he so wishes. I am sure that some of the 98 people are in his constituency, as he comes from a rural constituency, and they will get the opportunity to impress on the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, the need to be more flexible in this matter. In light of this, I encourage the Minister of State to accept this amendment.

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