Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am glad that we are getting some clarification on the issue. Bearing in mind the raising of the debt and the question of liability, would it be possible for the milk purchaser to take the money in 12 equal instalments between this year and next year and forward-pay part of the debt by 1 October to the Department? In other words, the purchasers, particularly if they are co-operatives, would give a free loan for six months. Thus, rather than the farmer having to come up with all of the money between now and 1 October, the purchaser could allow a period of year. Would this be allowable under the rules, as long as the Department received the money from the purchaser?

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