On page 109 of the programme for Government, there is a commitment to protecting farm payments. Many farmers have rung my office, and I am sure the offices of many other Deputies, in a distressed state, waiting on their payments that were due in September. Will the Tánaiste give a commitment that the moneys will be paid before Christmas? Farmers in County Louth were assured by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine that under a new pilot satellite scheme launched this year, they would not be victimised as a result of their involvement in it, but that is what is happening. It is unacceptable. If a commitment is not made to the Animal Collectors Association on payments supposed to be made in September, the prices for the collection of fallen animals will double in the new year.

The Minister of State, Deputy Doyle, answered a question on the matter yesterday. A total of 90% of the payments have been paid to date. Having been Minister at that Department, I know that if there is a delay in respect of a small percentage of payments, there is a normally good reason for that. The Minister of State has agreed to follow up on the matter to try to ensure that the remaining payments will be made as quickly as possible.