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

I thank the Minister for the candid nature of his response. It is helpful even in terms of outlining the complexity. The majority of the cases of farmers that I have been dealing with in Bellivor and Castlepollard relate to access to information and the frustration they are experiencing in that respect. They have had to make financial adjustments because they had money earmarked for projects on their farms. Those projects would have increased productivity and profits. Instead the resources have had to be put into basic day-to-day bills and the running of the farms. The Minister and his colleagues are well aware of this.

Many farms, especially in disadvantaged areas, have low margins within which to work. These delays are not fair on the farmers concerned or their families.

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