Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that. I welcome Mr. Cardiff, Ms Kerrigan and Mr. Fennessy to our meeting. I get very little representation from people who have difficulties. Farmers are terribly compliant and have always shown great respect for the European Union. We have our own organic farm so I know. I suppose there is really, quite frankly, an over-supervision of Irish farming from the Department's point of view. Maybe at times they just want to send people out. Farmers love their land and their stock.

Are the witnesses averse to anyone making representations to them if there are problems for any particular individual, or are they completely aloof and not responsive to anyone that might have a very good case? I have not got one by the way, I am just wondering if they would respond if they saw a case and saw that it concerned an honest, decent genuine person living on a small farm. I fill out some of these forms, Chairman, and you would not believe them. They were unreal.