Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. I reiterate, from my perspective and that of many others, our acknowledgement of the ongoing politicking taking place within the EU in an effort to address this issue, notwithstanding the ongoing efforts to which the Minister referred and the hearings that have been taking place for the past two years. Our ability to respond effectively to Covid-19 and its impact on economies across Europe is now being threatened by the protracted delay in respect of this issue. Next generation funding is particularly relevant to assisting us across a wide range of areas. Even the Common Agricultural Policy budget is supplemented with funds contained within the next generation allocations.

It is imperative, therefore, at this critical crossroads for our economy and for the economies of other member states and in the context of our response to Covid-19, that this money begins to flow in respect of the assistance available to us in the form of financial measures and packages to help and assist various sectors. I ask the Minister to impress upon our colleagues the need for them to revitalise their efforts to ensure that this issue can be resolved amicably but quickly.

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