Sir, - Your report (The Irish Times, November 16th) showing that 10 per cent of farmers receive 70 per cent of EU subsidies makes refreshing reading. At last we have the explanation as to why some farmers are in penury; the ranchers are rolling in it. There can be no justification for the payments of approximately £1 million each to the three top farmers.
This report proves there is no rational case for further subsidies to be paid to farmers. What is needed is a redistribution of these payments to those genuinely in need. There should be no payments to ranchers; last year's average payment was £9,000; this should be the maximum payment.
There is an onus on the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to organise demonstrations opposing further gifts from the PAYE taxpayers to ranchers. In particular, if the farmers march again in Dublin, a counter-demonstration should be held. - Yours, etc. Pat Corcoran,
Charles Street, Dublin 1.