Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to say a few words on the Bill. I wish to follow up on the area mentioned by Deputy Sherlock, the need for support for small farmers. He mentioned Kerry, Donegal and the west generally. I make no apology for saying that the farm assist was needed in areas such as Cavan and Monaghan because of weather conditions and especially the complete collapse in the price of milk to the dairy farmer in 2009. The proposed cutbacks are regrettable as is the imposition of the universal social charge. However, it is even more regrettable that many people who applied way back in 2009 are still going through the appeals procedure. Regardless of what was stated in the Irish Farmers' Journal or elsewhere, many other farmers who wanted to apply were simply told by the personnel that because of their farm size etc. was no point in them applying.

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