Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Someone who bought a bull early this year or last year will have a three or four year old bull that they will have to send to the factory because the animal will not qualify for the scheme. It is as simple as that.

If a person works a year for someone, the person's wages are based on that year's work. If farmers do it right year one, year two and year three, they should not be penalised for the back-money. Every year should stand for itself. If I work for someone and make a mistake in year two, I do not get paid year one wages if I have done everything right. Will the Minister look at that aspect? Farmers are frightened of this scheme. We have seen problems between the Department and farmers over the past few years on eligibility and so forth. Farmers are frightened that if something goes wrong in year five that they could be looking at having to pay a big bill. That is a major stumbling block. Will the Minister's Department examine this issue and look at the possibility of taking each year as it is, which will give farmers hope going into the scheme?

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