Byrne: Cap money for rural development still in doubt

Joe Byrne, SDLP MLA and Vice Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, says the CAP money for Rural Development is still in doubt since the High Court action between the two Executive ministers in December.

Speaking after the Rural Development debate in the Assembly on Monday Joe Byrne said: ‘’The debate on Rural Development in relation to Pillar 1 to Pillar 11 transfers has gleaned no further progress from the DARD Minister or from the Executive as a whole. The turf war squabble between Minister O Neill and Minister Hamilton is still on-going, and no sign of a resolution in sight.

“The conclusion of the debate whereby the DUP and Sinn Fein jointly defeated the substantive debate adds further fuel to the debate they are both more interested in potential squabbling for electoral purposes.

“Unfortunately, the real interest of farmers and the rural community, in general, has not yet been tackled by Minister O’Neill with her colleague Minister Hamilton. Both Ministers, and both the DUP and Sinn Fein seem intent on prolonging the squabble and milking it for pure political gamesmanship.’’