Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the statement from the Minister and the figures he provided, as well as the statement he provided earlier to Deputy Browne in the context of this matter. Why was there not an effective system in place before this point in time, given the frustration felt by farmers? It was agreed between the farming organisations and the Department that up to 75% of payments would commence in the third week of October with the balance of the payments being made in mid-December. It was reported in the Independent farming section this week that farmers still waiting on payments may have to wait until mid-summer. If that is the case, some farmers will have waited for seven months in total.

I have met many farmers in my constituency in Meath over the past few months. I saw earlier that Deputy Burke has a parliamentary question as well about part of his county in the Castlepollard region of north Westmeath, which comes into my constituency as well.

They have had great difficulty making contact with the Department to query the reasons for the delay with the payments.

I know what the Minister has said with regard to there being no issues in terms of overtime to prioritise this matter. I appeal for this to be taken with a greater sense of urgency. What is being done specifically in that respect?

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