Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will try to be positive. I welcome all additional moneys that become available for the various agricultural and fisheries sectors. I am familiar with the position of dairy farmers arising from market volatility in prices. I welcome the measures in place to support dairy farmers as I am conscious that dairy incomes are expected to fall by 50% this year.

The Minister expects the Department to make savings of €6 million in the area of disease eradication. Tuberculosis and brucellosis have not been eradicated and small pockets of the diseases can be found in various locations. Does the Minister believe the Department will be able to continue to provide a facility to try to eradicate these diseases if the budget for disease eradication is being cut by €6 million? Will additional funding be required in certain areas to ensure the good work being done across the island will continue?

I welcome the increase of €10 million in the allocation for the World Food Programme which provides assistance for the poorest countries. Ireland's contribution to the programme has been minimal in recent years and the increase in funding for the poorest and most deprived people in the world is welcome. The Minister also referred to an allocation of €20 million for Syria in the next three years. Is this figure distinct from the allocation of €20 million for the World Food Programme?