Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On the funding announced by the Minister in budget 2018 and in light of the proximity of Brexit and the priority which must be given to responding to the threats and challenges it will present, for the Minister to come to the House and tell us that putting these loans together takes time and they will not be launched for some time is unacceptable in the context of the challenge facing Irish businesses and farmers.

The announcement that the funding would be put in place was made in October 2017. We are not far away from the point at which we will be a year on from that with the fund yet to be set up and accessible to farmers. Can the Minister provide the House with a clear outline as to when the funds will be available to be drawn down and accessed and when the fund will be open for applications? It has been a failure on the part of the Minister that a measure for which there is a great need has not been made available to farmers and small businesses.

See this speech in context