John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

She has tremendous influence in Europe. She has worked very hard for the past number of days and nights and has been in constant contact with Commissioner Fischer Boel and with the Commission. I am quite confident that the Minister will bring a satisfactory conclusion if given a little space.

I do not agree that the Minister or the Department of Finance have caused the problem. The scheme is a European scheme and we must respect its terms and conditions. It was introduced as an advance payment scheme and it is time this was recognised. I have no difficulty with REPS 4. If we are to have a scheme that is not an advance payment scheme, people will be aware of this fact when they join. REPS 2 and REPS 3 were advance payment schemes. I commend the Minister on her efforts and encourage her to bring a solution to the problem.

I also wish Donal O'Brien well. He is in hospital as he has been on hunger strike on the issue in County Limerick.

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