Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their presentation. They largely pushed an open door as far as many of us are concerned regarding the future of Irish farming and encouraging young people into the industry. It is quite frightening to realise that only 5% of farmers are under 35. The figure is similar to that pertaining to farmers over 80. This is alarming and we must determine how to deal with it. Both Government and Opposition parties have an onus to create initiatives whereby young people are encouraged into the industry and elderly people are encouraged to step back. The loss of both installation aid and the early retirement scheme, both of which complemented each other, had a detrimental effect in this regard. It is necessary to put in place schemes that make up for the deficit. This is of considerable importance if more people are to become involved.

With regard to the abolition of the milk quota and the opening up of the market in that regard, do the delegates believe the ability to restructure will complement the forthcoming opportunities?

Unless restructuring is forthcoming through land mobility or whatever, it does not appear as though the potential and opportunities can be realised.

On education and creating obstacles regarding the assets, that is, the actual farms being a hindrance to people accessing a proper and full education, I am a great believer in the huge benefits from such education, more so now than ever before because farming has become so professional and technical. I note my own son attended Pallaskenry Agricultural College. I grew up on a small farm at a time when the world was a very big place and the educational side of it was learned from previous generations. How do the witnesses envisage the potential for the future in this regard? Mr. Jagoe mentioned the proposal that assets be included as part of the means testing process for the education programme. Certainly, this issue must be examined and if one is going to means test in this regard, it should be based on income and not simply on an asset on which one is working. I believe that makes logical sense. Land leasing tax exemptions will be of crucial importance to make available farms for the younger people to take over. Were people in their late 50s or 60s able to lease their land and have such tax exemptions it certainly would be an encouragement to an extent and would go some way towards compensating for the ending of the early retirement scheme and so on.

A long time ago, I learned how to speak in public when a member of Macra na Feirme. I can recall being a member back in 1967 or 1968, when it undertook public speaking campaigns. That was the first time I ever spoke in public and was the last time for a long time thereafter. Consequently, I wish all the witnesses well.