Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)

A constituent of mine received a letter, which states:

Grant aid will only be paid for structures completed by the end of the year to the required minimum, as outlined above. Where items such as scrapers, sliding doors, venting, cladding, etc., are not completed then the structure as completed will be grant aided less the items not undertaken. No grant payment will be made on structures that are only partially completed. Example: those not having a floor, a roof or barriers.

Steel companies in Donegal have an eight-week waiting list for roof sheeting. How can the Minister say that farmers have the ability to get this done when there is such a waiting list? Can the Minister answer that question? Government backbenchers are not doing their job because they are not in touch with the people. They are not listening to what is going on and that is why the Minister is making such a nonsensical point. Unless he brings in Paul Daniels with a magic wand, men who are not supplied with sheeting cannot put roofs on. The Minister should explain how he intends to get around that point.

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