P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

Three and half months is barely enough time to get planning permission for these projects but not enough time to consult with architects or engineers to plan the regulatory process. How can farmers plan their future if the rug is pulled from under them after only three months?

My main concern and the reason I raise this issue is that I am now informed those who applied before the deadline were told their applications will not be processed and that the Minister ordered applications received between 22 and 30 October to be put on hold indefinitely. Is this proper procedure for progressive farmers? How can the Government stand over this treatment of people trying to meet their obligations under the rigid farm procedures introduced by the EU and the Government?

This is another sleight of hand by the Minister and whatever about suspending a scheme from the date of announcement, she cannot apply the law retrospectively. I call on her to honour applications received before the 30 October deadline and honour the law as prescribed by the law of the land and enshrined in the Constitution. Every citizen is entitled to the same treatment and benefit under the Constitution. Whatever about ending the scheme, the Minister cannot break and dishonour the contract with applicants who validly applied two weeks prior to the closing date. I am reliably informed that 250 such applications have been made to the Clonakilty office and a further 400 were made to the South Mall office in Cork for east and north-west County Cork. The person who contacted me had intended to replace his milk tank at a cost of over €30,000, for which he would have received a grant of just over €6,000. I call on the Minister to honour her contract to all those who had made valid applications prior to her statement. Her job is to find the money to continue this farm improvement scheme. After all, the duty of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is to improve the agricultural sector.

I hope the Minister of State will have good news for the beleaguered farmers who are doing their best to meet the requirements but are frustrated by red tape and bureaucracy on the part of the Department.

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