Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

I note Deputy Creed was quick off the mark. Anyway, as somebody who posed the question, even though it is in the name of Deputy Liz McManus, I wish to put on record that I do not see why this is so, there is not any legal impediment and there is no European Union directive that states that the Minister cannot extend the deadline to allow for this scheme to be implemented. The scheme is revenue neutral.

I do not see why, if it can be done on one part of this island, it cannot be done on another part of this island. It defies logic. Farmers in the North are farming the same types of land as farmers in the South. I cannot see the logic of the Government's position on this matter. I do not see why the Minister cannot change his mind on it. I ask the Minister to consider changing his mind on it.

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