Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response which seems to indicate that the following through on the €25 million commitment in the programme for Government in 2018 is optional and up for discussion rather than non-negotiable. I would have thought that if there was a commitment in the programme for Government, it would have been sealed and done and dusted. It should not be up for discussion at this late stage as to whether the €25 million will be available. Will the Minister comment further on the matter because in his initial response he raised a question mark against whether the €25 million would be available? I want to make it absolutely clear that I believe it must be delivered as it is very important for the agricultural community.

On the various land types and the way funding is distributed, as the Minister is aware, the difference between the payment rates for the three types of land - mountain land, more severely handicapped lowlands and less severely handicapped lowlands - is approximately €14 between the top rate and the lower rate, but there is a massive difference in the types of land involved. I put it to him that in distributing the €25 million which needs to be provided in the budget we should start the process of allocating higher payments to farmers with more severely handicapped land who should receive the largest portion of the funding.

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