The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the minister indicated that he will not negotiate on the details of the tillage crisis fund until protesters leave the Agriculture House.

Minister Creed is understood to have made the commitment at Tuesday's cabinet meeting.

However, the commitment from Minister Creed has not been accepted by the IFA.

The association's grain committee chair Liam Dunne told the Irish Farmers Journal that the protesters remain strong to their campaign.

“We will talk when the €5,000 is off the table. We will not talk if there is an artificial cap and preconditions,” Dunne said.

The IFA has occupied Agriculture House since Wednesday last, with four IFA members staying six nights in the building. There have been continuous protests outside the building since Thursday morning.

In a statement to the Irish Farmers Journal, Minister Michael Creed said that the only way to resolve the situation was by talking.

"The only way that we can progress these matters is by sitting down around the table and I've issued that invitation to them. I hope that this will happen shortly."

Asked about reports that the ceiling for each farmer applying under the proposed scheme could be anything between €5000 and €15000 the Minister said they will be discussed during the talks.

"All these figures are out there but what I've said to the IFA is that if they have concerns, they should come in and talk to us about those concerns." he concluded.

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IFA tillage protest: Full coverage