McCarthy says Agriculture Minister must address Assembly urgently on EU fines

Alliance Agriculture Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has said he is deeply frustrated that Northern Ireland could face fines that could reach £100m regarding single farm payments and he has called on the Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill to make a statement on the issue to the Assembly as a matter of urgency.

Kieran McCarthy MLA said: “The public deserve answers and the Minister should come to the Assembly on this issue as a matter of urgency.

“For Northern Ireland to be in a position that could see us face fines that could reach £100m is simply appalling. This is a staggering sum of money and could have a profound impact on the region. This is a tough time at present and fines like this could hit the region very hard. We are facing many challenges regarding our public finances and this is a matter of massive significant for everyone across Northern Ireland.

“It beggars belief that we could face fines of this level and that it appears that adequate measures to prevent us from facing EU fines were not in place.”

ENDS