Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

Given the importance of this scheme to environmental improvements and enhancement, which must clearly be very close to the Minister of State's heart, why has he such a resigned attitude to the strict closing date? Is it again a case of throwing the hands up and adopting a losing posture? Why do we not go to those in Europe and say we have almost 7,000 applicants out there still trying to get forms filled and work completed?

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