Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

Does the Minister accept that a knock-on effect of his decision will be to force more farmers onto farm assist? On the basis that REPS is 45% co-financed by Europe this is a false economy as the State pays 100% of farm assist payments.

Did the Minister read the full McCarthy report prior to glancing at that initial recommendation of suspending access to REPS 4? It stated that a full value for money audit of the scheme should be conducted. The Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, who is sitting beside the Minister is a member of the Green Party, which is the great champion of the environment. There have been and continue to be huge benefits to the agri-environment as a result of REPS. The scheme which is proposed to replace it is a Mickey Mouse scheme that will do nothing for the environment or for farm incomes. I implore the Minister even at this late stage to withdraw his revised rural development plan programme in Europe and return to full access to REPS 4.

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