Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

Deputy McEntee assists me if Deputy Brady is not available from time to time. This has proved to be an excellent scheme with €113.8 million in grants-in-aid paid to date. Some €212 million has been paid this year and another €195 million under the Supplementary Estimate. This represents a sizeable investment in rural Ireland which is being used and utilised. It will be finalised before the end of the year. The investment shows the confidence the Government has in agriculture and its importance not only to my constituency, but to the economy as a whole. It is very important in these difficult times that this sector can thrive and improve and I encourage more people to stay in it. I commend the Government amendment and I commend the Minister, Deputy Smith, and his officials for their work. I ask everyone to urge farmers to complete the work for which they have approval and to do whatever is necessary to get this wrapped up by the end of this year.

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