I wish to raise the agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, the so called agri-environmental scheme that farmers have long suspected was designed by civil servants for the benefit of civil servants, not farmers or the environment. The new inspection teams are being rolled out and in east Clare at least they are in big new 2.3 l long wheelbase diesel vehicles. These are the kind of vehicles you would expect to see at a Make America Great Again, MAGA, rally in Texas and they are paid for by taxpayers' money with ACRES logos on them, which were also paid for with taxpayers' money. I am glad the Taoiseach finds it amusing because farmers who live in designated areas and who farm designated areas are having their funding reduced. They are being paid less than they were being paid before, notwithstanding being in designated areas. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine talks the talk when it comes to the environment but when it comes to walking the walk he withdrew funding for innovative environmental schemes. Does the Taoiseach understand why farmers are sceptical of the nature restoration law and about not being compensated?

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to respond.

I asked the Taoiseach but if he wishes the Minister with responsibility for agri-environmental measures to respond that is fine.

As the Deputy knows, ACRES has been a strong success with farmers across this country. It was oversubscribed by 50% and as a Government we stepped forward to make sure that every applicant could participate. The vast majority of farmers in Clare will receive significantly increased payments under ACRES, as they will with all the other scheme I have launched, be that the suckler scheme or under the new basic income support for sustainability. Some day the Deputy might put a euro in their pocket as well.

On the nature restoration-----

Is the Minister putting his own money in farmers' pockets or is he putting taxpayers' money in farmers' pockets? That is what we are here to talk about.

We are funding them.

I put money in farmers' pockets week in, week out at the mart.

Now please-----

What does the Minister do for them?

Deputy McNamara, please.

We, in government, will back them financially and deliver them an income.

Thank you, Minister, the time is up.

Unfortunately, no matter how much the Deputy talks here, he has not put €1 in their pockets. In relation to the-----

How much money has the Minister put in their pockets personally?

Deputy McNamara, will you let the Minister speak?

No. The Minister is talking about me putting money in farmers' pockets. I put money in farmers' pockets. What does he do? He is the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. He is talking claptrap.

Please do not-----

If talk was not cheap, Deputy McNamara would be great. It is very cheap in his case.

Well, it is very cheap for the Minister when he spending taxpayers' money.

Deputy, please.

He is flying around the place buying 2.3 l gas guzzlers on an environmental scheme-----

Deputy McNamara, please do not interrupt the House.

-----and he talks about talk being cheap.

Please do not disrupt the House.

No, but would he not-----

Deputy, will you resume your seat now? You are eating into people's valuable time.

The Minister is abusing the process of the House with this sort of trite remark about taxpayers' money and with him buying gas guzzlers with farmers' money.