P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I can see no reason why the Minister cannot extend that scheme, for three months, if possible, to allow for the people who have encountered such savage weather conditions in the past 12 months. They were hardly able to dig out the foundation for these improvements.

I would not mind but I believe that the Minister has not made an application to Brussels for an extension of the deadline of 31 December next. If he has not, would he please do so immediately?

There are agricultural contractors in my constituency in west Cork laying off hundreds of people next week on account of that deadline. I believe they got an extension in Northern Ireland. Why can we not get it if we make an application?

I want to know for future reference whether the Minister made an application to the European Commission for an extension of the deadline and if so, what was the result. That is all I want.

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