Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of urgent and national importance, namely, the need for the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to extend the date of 31 December in respect of the control of farm waste scheme. The projects have been already approved for funding, the money is desperately needed in this sector and farmers were unable to commence building owing to the horrendous weather this summer. It is imperative that the Minister allows many projects at farm level to be completed. The control of farm waste scheme is vital for the industry which is currently struggling following a difficult year made worse by the terrible weather. The current deadline is damaging both to the agricultural building sector and agricultural sector. It will be dreadful if funding applied for, approved and desperately needed is not sanctioned. This will have a major impact on our rural environment. I ask that the Minister, as a matter of urgency, extend the deadline as soon as possible so people can get on with work under this essential scheme.

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