Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

From a total of just over 5,000 applications, 1,300 is a very poor approval rate for a scheme that has been open for more than 12 months now. Many farmers were planning on investing this summer and getting works under way. They have been hampered by the fact that approvals have not been forthcoming and they are currently waiting for the Department to get back to them. The process has been much too slow and it has put the farming sector and those who are keen to invest in a position that leads to exceptional frustration. It is also putting additional pressure on farmers in trying to get works completed in a timely fashion. The work is backing up when it could be done in a more orderly way in line with the applications coming into the Department. The figure stands at 1,300 now, but when does the Minister expect the farmers who have applied to at least get initial approval so they can commence a process of investment?

See this speech in context