Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

I am alarmed by the Minister's response, which indicated that at this late stage two thirds of REPS 4 applicants have yet to be processed and that this will delay all REPS 4 payments. The Minister needs to recognise the urgency of the situation and to assist in every way possible in bringing about a resolution. Farmers should not be used as a bargaining chip between the trade unions which have a grievance and the Department, which is the employer of the technical agricultural officers.

I ask the Minister again about the EU audit and the fines to be imposed on the State. I cannot accept that the Minister would not have this information available to him, as it is a directly related issue. What provision is in the agriculture Estimate this year for that likely outcome? Will he quantify the amount of the fine?

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