Further attack on Croke Park from farming group

The Croke Park agreement is under renewed assault, this time from a major farming lobby group.

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association says the government must tackle allowances and increments to address the imbalance between the public and private sector.

In its pre-budget submission, the group is also warning against any further cutbacks to what they say are vital support schemes for farmers from further cutbacks.

And ICSA President Gabriel Gilmartin says septic tank repairs should be 100% grant-aided.

“Since around 1975, every town, village and city in this country was co-financed by the EU for their sewage systems and their septic tanks.

“Rural people got nothing like that and rural people should be entitled to the same as their city neighbours or town neighbours.”