Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Trying to come up with questions which have not been answered is a challenge, but I will do my best.

A big debate took place here during the CAP negotiations on the definition of an active farmer and I still have not received an answer to it. Where I come from, an active farmer is someone who must do a little bit of farming, a little bit of fishing and other things to keep going. This links with Ms O'Neill's policy on rural poverty. I ask her to speak to us about how poverty among farmers is measured. She has stated rural issues are integrated into all Departments. Are all policies rural proofed? It does not happen here and would be a positive development.

An issue raised with Deputy Martin Ferris and me on our travels throughout the country is eel fishing. There is still a ban on eel fishing on this part of the island, but I do not believe it is banned in the Six Counties. I ask Ms O'Neill to speak about this. All of the eels seem to source from the same place and travel through all of the rivers. It seems quite strange, therefore, that we still have a ban on eel fishing, but it is not banned in the Six Counties.

Does Ms O'Neill have thoughts on how opening up the sugar beet market might benefit the entire island and how it might be approached on an all-Ireland basis? Another hot potato here is turf cutting, which also raises the question of having sustainable rural communities and farmers. Ms O'Neill mentioned fuel poverty as being an issue. Is there an issue with turf cutting in the Six Counties? It is very positive to see North-South co-operation and the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, states the same when he comes before the Seanad or committees. Are there impediments to this co-operation which could or should be removed? How can we improve North-South co-operation on these issues?