Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief as many of the points I intended to raise have been covered. I thank the witnesses for their submissions and join my colleagues in congratulating Mr. Finan on his election as president of Macra na Feirme. I hope to work with him in the years ahead.

I support the position taken by the witnesses. In recent years, members have received many telephone calls from this group of farmers who receive either no payment or only a small payment. Some of them have been farming since 2002-03. It is vital that the joint committee identifies what can be done for this forgotten group which numbers fewer than 4,000 farmers. I spoke to a few lads during the recent break. Perhaps their cases can be examined individually. Some of them may be fortunate enough to receive a reasonably good payment, while others may not receive a payment. It may not cost a great deal to look after them. Members support the case that has been made, certainly in respect of the 60% proposal regarding capital investment, which is crucial.