Farm grants and expenditure cuts
Mac Giolla asked whether farm grants were the only area exempt from public expenditure cuts. The Minister said no sector was exempt and pledged consistency rather than special treatment for farmers.
In view of the Minister's reply to this and the previous question, could he confirm that the farm grant area is the only area exempt from cuts in public expenditure?
Comment on this
No, there is no area exempt from cuts in public expenditure. I want to say very clearly and definitely to all sectors, including those who might be less sympathetic to farmers than others, that in all my discussions with farming organisations and publicly here in the House I have indicated that no area, particularly the one for which I am responsible, will be exempt from public expenditure adjustments. I see it as particularly important, as Minister for Agriculture and Food, that I should be consistent. When the benefits apply to the farmers I am not going to make special pleading on their behalf.