In the Programme for Government there is a section which refers to the Independent Appeals Office and we are looking now at a situation wherby after a year or two after winning their cases the Department is deciding to do their own thing and drag their feet on payment which is very unfair. The Department need to recognise that if a farner wins a case then they should be paid immediately. I am a firm believer that the same people from the Department should not be judging the same case four or five times. It is sad day that we are trying to do our own farmers out of money that they are entitled to. Under the Programme for Government we must ensure that this situation is addressed immediately and that the system is changed so it is more geared towards the needs of the famers involved.
