Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

I am not satisfied with that answer because this was a demand-led scheme and was open to all comers. If somebody gets an application in on time it is as valid as any other application. I do not see why the Minister can discriminate against those people who applied within those timeframes but, because the budget line is suddenly cut, are not to be considered. I ask the Minister to review the decision on the basis that if we encounter serious changes in agriculture into the future then it will be a matter for farmers to improve their holdings and their facilities. This is a wonderful scheme in terms of what it seeks to achieve but there should be more flexibility on the part of the Government to allow at least those people who got in before the cut-off to be considered. The word "review" is a very broad term. It is not a concrete term and it gives no solace to those farmers who applied on time.

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