Farmers unhappy at social partnership gap

A GAP of at least €700m has opened up between farmers and the Government in social partnership negotiations.

However, the farm lobby says that the gap is even greater, with IFA President John Dillon rejecting Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh's valuation of the Government's offer at up to €300 million.

"Having regard to everything concerned, a set of proposals costing an estimated €300m was reasonable, taking budgetary consideration into account," said Minister Walsh in the Dáil.