The publication of the recipients of the highest CAP payments in Ireland reinforces the need for Sinn Féin’s proposals for an upper limit on payments to be introduced as a matter of urgency.
That is according to the party’s Cavan-Monaghan TD, Matt Carthy, who said that the “eye-watering” figures expose the “obscene inequalities” at the heart of Irish agriculture.
‘No justification’
He pointed out that one of the largest recipients of CAP payments in Ireland is a Kildare-based company called Godolphin.
The thoroughbred racing and breeding operation of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, received a CAP payment of €216,768.
“Two farms associated with the billionaire, Larry Goodman, between them secured payments of almost €400,000.”
“There is simply no justification for massive corporate entities to be drawing down such level of payments at a time when most family farms, who receive a pittance in comparison, are struggling to survive.”
“This scandal has to end. There needs to be an upper limit of payments set at a maximum of €60,000 so that funds can be re-diverted to those farmers who are the lifeblood of our rural economies.
“That Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments have stood over such gross inequalities for so long explains why many farmers have abandoned those parties.”
He believes that it is time for a radical reform of agriculture payments where resources are invested in family farmers that have built the reputation that Irish agriculture enjoys all over the world.
