Call for resignation over grants

MINISTER FOR Agriculture Brendan Smith was called on to resign during heated Dáil exchanges about delays in paying farming grants.

Mr Smith said he appreciated there were farmers who had substantial commitments and bank loans. “I have spoken already to the major banks and am to meet them during the course of this week.’’

He had asked that particular provision be made for individual farmers, in respect of their loans, to comprise a grant element. That money was guaranteed by the State, even though it would not be paid as quickly as the Government would wish.

Fine Gael agriculture spokesman Michael Creed said: “I have no alternative but to conclude that the Minister should consider his position as Minister for Agriculture.’’

When farmers in the public gallery applauded, they were reminded by Leas-Cheann Comhairle Brendan Howlin that this was inappropriate.

Mr Creed said it was an appalling vista that farmers would be asked to carry the can for the failure of the Minister to do a simple mathematical calculation.

He said every month the Minister delayed payment under the farm waste-management scheme, interest payments made by farmers to banks came to approximately €3 million. “That sum comes directly from farmers’ pockets.’’

Mr Smith said payments would be made on a phased basis. The Government was not in a position to make full payment this year. To date, €548.7 million had been paid out from the exchequer under the scheme.

Mr Smith said more than 18,000 farmers had been paid in full, with over 17,000 farmers remaining to be paid. The expenditure available this year would enable the Government to pay all the remaining payment claims when they were processed.