Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)

Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department to reverse today's decisions to cease payments of REPS II and REPS III to farmers who have entered into contracts with the Department? The cessation of the upfront payments will mean a loss to applicants of one year's entitlements. Many applicants have pledged their entitlements to lending institutions and, as a result, the decision will bring unfair pressure on the farming community this year.

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