asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of farmers in County Cavan who had spent money on farm modernisation prior to 9 February 1983 under the guidance of his officials, who were refused participation and who are eligible to benefit from the new scheme.

As indicated in reply to a question on 28 June 1983, the number of applications under the farm modernisation scheme from farmers in County Cavan, which were refused as a result of the suspension of grant aid for farm buildings and fixed assets and the termination of grant aid for mobile equipment with effect from 10 February 1983, was 234. Information is not available to me on the number of those applicants who are eligible for aid for the same projects under the revised scheme.

I should like to add that, as I have indicated in the past, I have some sympathy for farmers who are affected by the suspension. I am continuing to examine the matter to see if some way of helping them could be found.

I appreciate the final sentence in the Minister's reply. Will the Minister accept any responsibility in view of the fact that his officials at local level were advising on the schemes that were disrupted by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Dukes, in his budget speech on 9 February 1983? Will the Minister agree that there must be some legal responsibility in his Department for work carried out under the advice of officials of his Department?

That is an interesting question. I cannot give an answer to it now. It would be of some interest if a person took a court action on that basis although I am not suggesting that he do that. Nevertheless, this point has been made to me on a number of occasions. I should like to point out that I take responsibility for the suspension of the farm modernisation scheme. I might as well, because I am blamed for it.

There is such a thing as collective responsibility.

Deputy Wilson interpreted a certain significance in the last sentence of my reply. I do not wish to elaborate too much on that except to say that I hope that what I am trying to do will materialise.

I admit the matter about collective responsibility. The farmers who cross themselves when the name of the Minister for Finance is mentioned and throw salt over their left shoulder are not in a position to take an action in the High Court.

I am not suggesting that they should do that but the question has been put to me before.

I am encouraging them but they cannot afford to take the action.

The Minister of State assured us last year that this matter would be given sympathetic consideration when the scheme was reintroduced. At a meeting in Monaghan this week we were told that in the Cavan-Monaghan area 400 farmers were caught in that net. Some of them were caught for technical reasons or because they did not have approval in advance. The scheme was operated liberally previously but when the axe came down and the decision was made to operate it strictly many farmers lost out. The Minister should give those people some consideration. About 4,500 are involved altogether.

I have given the Deputy as much hope as I could without having the money in my pocket today.

It is action we want.

Pandora's Box.

It is amazing how European candidates can broaden their interest in such a short space of time.

The Minister made a promise about these grants 11 months ago and it is time we got action on behalf of these farmers.

21.