Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

In regard to the question on prompt payments, we are involved in ensuring payment to people due moneys from the State within 15 days. That decision was made only recently and it is being implemented. It will be applied across the board very shortly.

The Deputy mentioned the farm waste management grant, which is a different issue. The issue there is an over-subscription beyond the moneys earmarked under the rural development scheme, as generous as it was, and the ability to provide a solution to that problem in the context of the public finances over a two to three year period, which is what has been provided for. The Government must work in the context of contesting resources from all sectors of society.

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