Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. They certainly fill a gap in the farming community, which is why I asked the committee to include the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association in the discussions around all these issues.

I agree with the way these issues are being tackled.

In the context of the review of the Areas of Natural Constraint, ANC, scheme it is absolutely crucial that payments reflect the level of constraint. There is precedent here in terms of the approach to this in Objective 1 status. When Objective 1 status was extended throughout the country, it was diluted for the real areas of disadvantage. We will be supporting that review and are looking forward to seeing the mapping of it. It is crucial that in areas such as the one I come from, where there are severe constraints, payments to farmers reflect the level of constraint. We all want to manage the land properly and to be responsible with regard to the farming of land but there must be a quid pro quofor that.

In terms of the inspections, I met a farmer recently at a meeting in Belmullet who said that he had receive no notice whatsoever of an inspection. The inspector just arrived at his door to carry out an inspection. He was not even at home at the time. There were no animal welfare or pollution concerns on his farm. This must stop because outside of those two aforementioned areas, farmers must be given notice of any inspection. In the context of the O'Connor case and the control sheets not being available, Sinn Féin as a party has asked that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine would appear before the Committee of Public Accounts although obviously that cannot happen before the O'Connor case is concluded. I submitted a question to the Department asking whether it had calculated the aggregate cost to the Exchequer should the outcome of that case be in favour of the farmers. Serious questions must be asked about the potential cost to the Exchequer.

The issue of the 30% and the 70% has been going on for a very long time. It makes no sense whatsoever and again, we have put it to the Department. I propose that this committee requests the written legal opinion that stops the 70% from being paid. It is a nonsense to hold up the files for so long. Eventually, 70% is paid and five days later, the remaining 30% is paid but in the meantime, the farmer must do without the income. I ask the committee to agree to examine that legal opinion.

Several years ago I spoke on Mid-West Radio and said that it would soon require planning permission to put up a fence. People thought that I was off my head at the time when that was coming down the line. We have seen that work its way through and the huge costs that are involved in fencing. That is why I like the witnesses' very strong statement in that regard. State enforced costs should be and must be reimbursed by the State. My party is fully supportive of that position.

I wish to raise an issue that is particularly pertinent in the area from which I come, namely flooding. I refer specifically to the criteria used for the cost-benefit analyses of putting flood defences in place. It is right that homes should be included in any cost-benefit analysis but agricultural land should also be included. Land is the main determinant of agricultural productivity and it must be included in any cost-benefit analysis. Another issue that must be dealt with is responsibility for lakes and rivers in the context of the flooding of farm land. Huge investments are being made in improving the land for agricultural purposes but when it is flooded, everyone stands back. Everyone has the authority but nobody has the responsibility in those circumstances. I would ask that the witnesses would work with us in determining who is responsible for the rivers and lakes. I also ask them to work with us on securing the inclusion of agricultural land in cost-benefit analyses of flood prevention schemes.

I thank the witnesses for their presentation. The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association is doing great work. I commend in particular Mr. Vincent Roddy and Mr. John Moran from my own area. The association is really filling a gap in terms of looking after farmers who have been and continue to be marginalised by successive Governments.