Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As priority questions had to be submitted by the middle of last week in advance of news breaking that the European Commission planned to offer up to 70,000 tonnes of beef in the South American trade negotiations as part of the Mercosur deal, it was not possible to table a question on that matter to be dealt with today. Therefore, I raised the matter with the Taoiseach earlier. That is why it is not on the agenda in this context today. I certainly hope every effort will be made by the Minister to ensure the proposal will be blocked and that we will not see such a massive threat pursued to the beef industry.

Priority Question No. 32 relates to areas of natural constraint and the commitment in the programme for Government to provide €25 million for them. Will the Minister give an update on whether that funding commitment will be followed through in the forthcoming budget? Will he also ensure the allocation of that funding will reflect the various constraints of land type under the scheme?

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