Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The last thing that the Department or anyone wants to do is be unfair to people. A process is in place whereby, if people are unhappy with the letters being sent by the Department, they can appeal. No one should experience hardship as regards this matter. This is the first point that needs to be clarified. An entire appeals section is available. If cases are causing hardship, either the Minister or I will deal with them individually.

It is important to stress the reason for these checks. When we fought a hard battle some months ago in Brussels to protect the single farm payment schemes, Ireland benefited. We should be the first to stand up and assert that we will run the schemes well and efficiently, but we do not want there to be hardships. I guarantee the Deputy that we will do everything we can to be fair to people, but we must live within the rules and regulations if we are to protect the scheme as we go forward.

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