Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)

I support this amendment for the same reasons that I supported the amendment on payment by instalments. It will be difficult for a number of farmers, admittedly a small number, to find the revenue to discharge their arrears within the recommended period. It is in everybody's interest that they are given that extra time to have a clean sheet so there would not be a build up of arrears and interest. I support the amendment in order to allow people extra time to negotiate a bank loan. Those already in arrears might experience great difficulties in accessing a bank loan within that time, which for someone in that situation might be a short span.

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