asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will extend the 30 June deadline for the completion of farm buildings under the farm modernisation scheme, in view of the exceptionally bad weather up to mid-June this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I have been considering this matter and I hope to make an announcement about it shortly.

Would the Minister agree a decision should be taken shortly because the time limit under the western drainage package is 30 September? I cannot see why there should be a delay, particularly remembering the number of applicants involved.

I sympathise with the Deputy's concern. It is a concern I share. I shall do everything possible on this score. I think tomorrow is the deadline for these works and I should like to point out to the House that a fair amount of leeway has been given. Some farmers have had approvals for two and two-and-a-half years and it is very difficult to have a structured type of grant system of payment unless one is sure of what is actually being done inside a relatively short time. I take the Deputy's point and because the year was such a bad one it is important we should have a sympathetic look at this.

Could I ask the Minister, if there is to be an extension, that it should run to 1 September in line with the other grants that have been extended? I would like to add to what he has said about the two-and-a-half years. Because of the bad financial running of the country by the previous administration, some of the people involved were not able to take advantage of the scheme.

A Deputy may not make a speech.

Would the Minister not make an announcement today that he will delay this until 30 September? This is very important because, as the Minister knows, farmers are very busy at this time of the year and cannot devote themselves to other business.

I shall give sympathetic consideration to it and I shall do everything I can to facilitate farmers.

Will the Minister make the announcement?

No.

When will we have results from all the "negotiating", "looking closely", "examining" and so on which was the reply to every question asked today? When will we see action?

Deputies have asked the same question at least ten times so I am giving the answer at least ten times.

Answer the question.

At the end of the autumn.