New stocking requirements in the Disadvantaged Area Scheme have forced farmers to buy livestock for land which is in poor condition due to bad weather, leaving many farmers under financial strain, according to Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Agriculture Éamon Ó Cuív.

THE chairman of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee is to ask the Department of Defence why it has sanctioned a naval ship to undertake 12-week diplomatic trip to South America, which will cost an estimated €500,000.

THE slashing of 41 State agencies will be a “first installment” in a long term plan of reducing so-called quangos, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said last night.

A TENDER for 2,000 tonnes of Irish beef for the Egyptian Army has been sent to An Bord Bia.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday ruled out removing agriculture from the name of the Department of Agriculture and Food in today’s Cabinet reshuffle.