Coveney: Farming should have priority treatment in Budget
The Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has said people "should not be surprised" to see farmers singled out as a priority in next week's Budget.
Minister Coveney was speaking on the way into this morning's special Cabinet meeting which will see ministers put the finishing touches on the €1.5bn package of tax cuts and spending increases.
Plans to give farmers the equivalent of the PAYE tax credit of €1,600 have been widely reported in recent days.
Mr Coveney said he wanted farmers to be given "priority treatment".
"We have an expanding agricultural sector for the last five years," he said. "It's been one of the great shining lights in a very dark and challenging period economically for Ireland and we want to keep it that way.
"If there's going to be the appropriate priority attached to farming next week, don’t be surprised."
