Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I have spoken to as many people as Deputy Sherlock who are disappointed that the scheme has been suspended for the present. In the past, when the Deputy's own party was in Government, a scheme was suspended even for those whose applications were with the Department. In this scheme, only entry for new applicants has been suspended, and all applicants who have submitted their completed application forms will be processed and approved if they meet the necessary criteria. I do not think anybody has tried, as the previous Deputy did, to dismiss the fact that €65 million has been forgone in taxation measures which are of benefit to young farmers. It is important to put that on the record of the House.

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