Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

Why are disadvantaged area payments, which were approved last November, not being paid? The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is telling farmers that it does not have money to pay them. The Minister should order these payments to be made immediately, as these people are depending on them for Christmas. Will he make an urgent statement on the matter? Farming seems to have been forgotten in all the debates on the budget. Farming families have taken a 43% cut over the past two years. Either there is money in the kitty or the Minister's staff are telling these people lies. That word is not supposed to be used, but farmers are discouraged and upset. They are being told there is no money in the kitty and that the payments will not be made before Christmas. I urge the Minister to ensure that these hard pressed farm families receive what they deserve. The Minister promised they would be paid and I want to ensure that will happen immediately.

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