Susan O'Keeffe (Labour)

There is €70 million outstanding to Irish farmers for payments under the various schemes such as disadvantaged area scheme, AEOS and REPS. That is not just money sitting there; it is the livelihood of thousands of people. I would like the Leader to seek an assurance from the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food that all these payments will be cleared by his deadline of November. There has been recurring delays and it is simply impossible for farmers, who cannot get credit from banks and who have spent money based on the assumption they would get this money, to keep going. Coupled with this is the uncertainty that will be brought about by the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, proposals to be published today. The CAP reform will go on for years. There is also the forthcoming budget. Can the Minister give the assurance that the November is indeed the date by which these €70 million in payments will be made?