Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I would like to speak on the amendment put forward by Deputy Bruton, even though Deputy Creed has already spoken on it. It is extremely interesting to read what has been written in this section. At the moment, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is legally liable to pay the moneys owed to the farmers. He signed a binding contract with them on the farm waste management grant. As he could not do the maths, we have now ended up with this situation.

In section 12, the Minister abdicates his responsibility to make any legally binding payment to farmers. It is dependent on the resources being available to the Minister from time to time to make payments under the scheme. While the Minister has stated that he will pay 40% this year, 40% next year and 20% the year after, there is absolutely nothing in this Bill to commit him to do that. Deputy Creed highlighted today that the €140 million required to make up the 40% this year is not available. No funding will be made available for it, and these resources must be obtained within the Department itself. The concern is that the headage will be cut in order to pay it, so we are robbing Peter to pay Paul.

The Government has now got a loan from Irish farmers of €500 million that is interest free for two and a half to three years, but it is not prepared to assist farmers, many of whom have desperate financial problems at this stage. Under subsection (3), the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food defers any liability, accrual or payment relating to the farm waste management grant. The Bill also states that there is no obligation to make any payment arising in respect of the amount deferred. The Minister for Finance is removing any obligation, legal or otherwise, to make a repayment to the farmers. He is stealing money directly from their pockets. The Minister should at least write into the Bill his commitment for 40%, 40% and 20% payments. He should also write into the Bill that the interest currently borne on the backs of small farmers would be carried by the Exchequer in light of the mess that the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has made of this. Severe cases of financial hardship should be addressed immediately and should be paid in full.

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