Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I support the Minister of State's argument regarding rainfall and land conditions. In my own immediate area, all the animals continue to be housed, even though it is 20 May, at considerable expense to farmers. It is vital that funding is available to assist them. However, the Department has weakened its own position in lowering the funding available to commercial farmers. While 100,000 farmers will receive assistance, commercial farmers are subject to a substantial decrease in support. Will the Minister of State review this situation? It will be easier for him to argue the case in Brussels if he is seen to be sincere in his objectives. Withdrawing funding from commercial farmers will not help his case.

See this speech in context