Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Will the Minister pay the people entitled to REPS 4 as they have been waiting some time for their money? If the Minister of State wants environmental schemes to work, those participating must be paid on time. This scheme will not work if farmers do not enter into it. As €5,000 is the maximum payment available, it will not be worthwhile for many of them.

From what I know from the islands in County Mayo, island life is difficult with high costs for bringing goods in and out. The Government should provide some form of a top-up to keep island farmers at work. Every summer, and increasingly during the winter months, many tourists visit the islands. It is important they are kept as tourist attractions. However, island inhabitants cannot continue to live on their islands if the resources and money to assist them are not provided.

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