Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Creed is aware the Commission brought in some years ago a calendar date for farmers to participate in REPS. In the past, those participating in REPS 2 and REPS 3, by and large, made their applications in November and December and the anniversary date occurred, by and large, at that time of the year; 17 May has now become the closing date because it coincides with the single farm payment application.

I refute the allegation made by Deputy Creed in regard to our losing battles in Europe. There are many issues we brought to the European Commission. We were the first to outline the need to activate measures in regard to the necessary support for the dairy industry, which was going through a very difficult 2009.

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