Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the announcement of the scheme. I asked the Minister when he expected the first of the money to be released to farmers and how that can happen. He said it was to be on a first-come, first-served basis. I believe the scheme will be oversubscribed and some people will be left waiting at the door. Unfortunately, the ones under the most financial pressure could be the ones left outside because their relationship with the financial institution might not be the best. I do not know about the fairness of a first-come, first-served basis and it could work out very unfairly.

I hope the scheme does not get buried in paperwork. There are significant difficulties with the payment of TAMS 2 at the moment owing to IT problems in the Department. I hope this scheme will be able to work in a far more friendly way and that the money can be given quickly to farmers so that they can reduce their debt and help them with their cashflow.

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