Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank both gentlemen for their presentations. There is very little in either presentation with which we could disagree. We all want to see the farming situation improving. It is a low income industry and quite a number of farmers are not in a taxable situation. Getting young farmers to form business partnerships with older farmers is a key issue. It is worrying to see the age profile of farmers, only 7% of whom are under 35. In 2000, the figure was 13% so that is a worrying trend. We must all do our bit to ensure that more young people become involved in farming. Will the 25% increase under the single farm payment or CAP be a major help towards getting younger farmers involved in the sector?

I also want to raise the issue of banks. I came across an instance recently where a young farmer wanted to buy a house and 18 or 20 acres of land. The banks were reluctant to deal with him, but told him that if he were buying a house on its own they would give him a mortgage much more easily. One wonders what is happening in that respect. Some work will have to be done to ensure that such young farmers get an opportunity to buy farm land.