Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I absolutely appreciate the importance of agriculture and food production to our society and economy. I have met the IFA, and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, has raised these matters with me. The normal challenges faced by farmers are exacerbated by price and income volatility, the potential early consequences of Brexit and the farmers' needs for new markets. I understand all of this. In my earlier contribution, as the Chairman acknowledged, I stated that some of the earliest effects of Brexit on employment are now being seen in the food and horticulture sectors.

With regard to the particular schemes referred to by the Chairman, I cannot give him an answer at present. I am aware of their importance. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, has raised this and other matters with me. What I will say on capital expenditure is that if we are to respond properly to what Brexit means for our country it cannot be a Dublin response. It must be a proper national response from the country because the effect will be national. As such, I understand that agriculture will be crucial. I am dealing with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister, Deputy Creed, on specific matters.

Some of the matters relating to the ownership of land and transferring land within families were addressed by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, through tax measures in recent budgets. I will take on board what the Chairman has said.