Vol. 422 No. 5
160 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will make a statement on the major financial hardship being faced by many farmers because of the level of land annuity repayments, especially in view of the restrictions placed on all farm enterprise and production.
My predecessor was aware of the financial hardship being faced by many farmers in paying their Land Commission annuities and he set up a Working Party to consider the problem and to propose an effective solution to it. I have since received their report and my Department is in contact with the Department of Finance with a view to finding a solution to the problem. As soon as specific proposals are agreed, I will make a full statement on the matter.
