Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response. It would be helpful if the Minister, Deputy Coveney, were here. Agriculture is his specific responsibility and there were a few points I wanted to put to him. I accept that if applications are not fully completed, it is very difficult to pay out. The reality is that quite a number of farmers have completed their application forms properly and would have expected to have been paid out in a timely manner. It would be extremely helpful to farmers, particularly those in my constituency, if the Minister indicated a timeframe, in terms of weeks or months, in which farmers will be paid. Ultimately, they have financial and other commitments, and they have creditors whom they are expected to pay, just like anybody else. They are totally reliant on schemes such as the AEOS to assist them in that regard.

I acknowledge and welcome the additional resources provided by the Minister to ensure payments will be made. I ask the Minister of State to pass on my thanks to the Minister in that regard. I urge the Minister to indicate a timeframe in which the payments will be made and to make a public statement on the matter.