Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

The reason I asked the question is because we have an opportunity in this country to phase out such fuels as coal and they can quite easily be replaced by miscanthus. Farmers tell me that the establishment costs are quite high and that the grant could be improved, if possible, to assist in that regard. Did I hear the Minister of State correctly when he stated that he is precluded by European Union rules from expanding or increasing that level of grant aid? I ask him to expand on that point. Once the crop has been established, is there any scope to improve the increments for weed control, the control of pests and also ploughing and cultivation? If he is unable to increase the grant for the establishment of the crop, perhaps he could consider an increase on the embedded side, if I could use that expression.

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