asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in view of the fact that land project applications in the Boyne drainage area were deferred pending the completion of that scheme, he will indicate how they will be affected by the new EEC regulations in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Project Applications.
58.
All commitments entered into with regard to the deferred applications referred to in the question will be dealt with, at the applicant's option where such option exists, either under the terms of the land project scheme or of the new farm modernisation scheme which came into operation on the 1st February, 1974.
Does that mean that this will be in vogue for five years or more before all the Boyne is drained?
The options are open to them now and will be open to them for some time because of the delay occasioned by this. They will probably be better under the new system anyway.
In cases where they would not be, would the Minister not agree that where they are deferred——
I cannot imagine a case where they would not be better under the new scheme.
Perhaps some farmers would not qualify.
They would have to qualify under some category.
Before the Boyne and the Blackwater are drained it will be at least five to eight years.
They will qualify as commercial farmers—40 per cent of total cost.
There might be a small farmer who would not come in under any scheme.
There is no such farmer. All farmers have to fall within some category.