Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I already laid out the position that it was and remains my intention in terms of tranche two. Both the trailing shoe and the dribble bar are very expensive pieces of equipment and are very long-term investments. They are significant investments from the State's point of view in relation to TAMS, and a significant investment from a farmer's point of view as well. It is important we take steps now that will stand the test of time because these machines will be around for a long time. Many dribble bars and trailing shoes have been purchased over the last number of years. There has been a very strong uptake that is making a real difference at farm level. Based on new research on the emissions value and efficiency value in terms of nutrient uptake, particularly the efficiency value, I am having that reassessed and have paused the dribble bar. What I did do was increase the grant aid that was available for the trailing shoe from 40% to 60% so that the marginal cost to the farmer of purchasing a trailing shoe now as opposed to a dribble bar is the same as what it would have been if they had been purchasing a dribble bar under the previous TAMS. I take the Deputy's point in relation to tractor size, which is a challenge. I am considering it all in the round and will bring clarity as soon as I can.

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