Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle.

I agree with the previous speakers, but there are other issues of serious concern too. Today we need time to debate farmers' payments and the delay in same, up to months for some people. A staggering 9,300 farmers are waiting since early 2024 on delayed agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, payments, 2,300 of whom are waiting for their payments since 2023. There are also farmers in the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS, and the suckler carbon efficiency programme, SCEP, waiting for urgent payment. The Minister has promised to solve this issue, but if farmers are waiting almost two years for their income, it puts them under enormous pressure. A debate must be had in this House immediately to try to address that issue.

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