Debate on farm scheme cuts delayed

FINE GAEL has postponed a planned private members motion in the Dáil this week on the budget farm scheme cuts because Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith is in the US on official business.

The party’s agriculture spokesman Michael Creed TD said the minister needs to be held accountable for the inequitable cuts in farm schemes. This would be best served by ensuring he was in the House during the debate.

“We will be submitting the motion again for debate once we are assured that the minister will be present,” he said.