Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

Every grant that is approved will be paid. There is an important point. One listens to commentators and thinks that this money comes from Europe. It does not. Every cent of this money comes from the Irish taxpayer. In fairness, as was said earlier, I do not believe that €615 million will be sufficient. A number of applications have yet to come in before the end of the year and we are very much aware of that. Time is running tight and people are trying to finish. I believe and hope they will do so.

The funding commitment of €79 million in respect of the farm improvement scheme will be provided and honoured in full. The Government has ensured we will receive the maximum amount of funding from Brussels allowed under the scheme. Any inference that taxpayers' money is being wasted or being sent back to Brussels is inaccurate. These measures ensure the most efficient possible use of taxpayers' funds.

Tough times call for appropriate measures. Considerable improvements have been achieved in recent years in this country. Nothwithstanding these improvements, it is important to acknowledge that we are currently in the middle of an international economic and financial storm. We are not immune from its effects nor will we be. We must be realistic about what must be done in order that we can safeguard the gains made and ensure we are well positioned to benefit from the global economic pick up when it emerges. The agricultural sector is still a very important part of our country's tradition and we must do all we can to ensure it remains an integral part of who we are.

The short-term economic environment in Ireland has become much more challenging. We are not unique in this regard. Prospects in virtually all the world's developed economies have deteriorated over the past 18 months. The current economic situation is extremely difficult, and with such considerable tax shortfalls, it is necessary to make significant reductions in public spending. Within each Department these have had to be made. It is important to point out that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will still spend €1.8 billion of Irish taxpayers' money and €1.4 billion of EU funding, bringing to €3.2 billion the Department's total expenditure and support for agriculture, fisheries and food and forestry sectors during next year.

I could continue. It is an important issue and I am glad to have had the opportunity to speak. I will certainly implore the Minister on certain issues and I know the goodwill is there. There is a serious overrun in the farm waste management scheme. In my view, it should be closer to €800 million rather than €600 million. If we were to get those grants paid there would be funds to bring back the disadvantaged area payments, the installation aid and the early retirement schemes.

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