Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their submissions to the committee. A crucial stage has been reached and it is important to do everything possible to increase farm incomes. In particular, the beef and sheep sectors are going through a very difficult time at the minute. Beef has been very difficult over the past number of months and the sector will experience a significant drop in income. The incomes in the sheep sector are beginning to drop off although these would not have been as bad in earlier times. However, prices in the sheep sector are beginning to drop off as well now. We must all do whatever we can. The dairy sector looks to be that little bit better but I know that dairy farmers will be making significant investments in their operations prior to 2015. It is crucial to have the GLAS scheme up and running and putting money into farmers' pockets as early as possible in 2015. It is looking as if it will be in the last quarter of the year before that scheme will be in place. Quite a number of farmers have been out of REPS for the past two years and have suffered huge losses. REPS was the real driver while AEOS and the other schemes were that little bit smaller and did not put in the same amount of money into the farmers' pockets. Quite a number of farmers make investments in the farm using their off-farm income. It could be asked whether this is a wise choice but farmers will continue to do this. Lads working in jobs off the farm such as council workers or working in the forestry have in the past invested that money in their farm.

It is very important to encourage young farmers to take over because the percentage of the farming population in the older age group has been referred to. There are too many older farmers and we must encourage younger farmers to take over farming in their own right. There used to be a big gain for farmers who were leasing quota heretofore and were then forced to sell it. At least there was no capital gains tax on that process so that was a positive aspect. I thank the witnesses for their submissions. The committee will work with them to ensure that everything possible can be done for incomes.