Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)

Farmers all over the country borrowed an awful lot of money to try to upgrade their farms when they were encouraged to do so by the Government. They were even told to have it done by 31 December. In the meetings other Deputies and I had with the Minister in the past we went around and encouraged farmers to finish their building programmes so they would qualify for the grant. Many of those farmers have already paid back €5,000, €6,000 or €7,000 in interest. These are farmers who are struggling as it is. It is necessary that a letter of security be forthcoming from the Minister and the Department through the banks to alleviate the continuing growth of interest on them. We also need a clear and unequivocal statement by the Government that this money will be paid, all three instalments, as well as the interest they are incurring. We cannot allow another penalty to be imposed on the farming community and the thousands of farmers who await their money. I urge the Minister to give that security to people who are in a desperate situation.

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