Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and his officials for being here. I have been raising Brexit issues, including fishing, all along. Obviously, I have been talking to the west Cork Irish Farmers Association chairman, Mr. Donal O'Donovan, and to Mr. Dermot Kelleher of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association. I met representatives of Individual Farmers of Ireland last night and they are seeking a meeting with the Minister. He might take that up with them in the near future.

The Brexit fund of €5 billion, of which Ireland is to get €1 billion, must be activated to compensate for any losses, including those associated with sterling volatility. Agriculture and food production are very exposed, and we must ensure as much funding as possible for farmers.

Chilled and processed meat such as sausages, burgers and mince from the UK, which is now regarded as a third country, cannot access external markets. Ireland is a food exporting country. Cheddar cheese from Carbery should be actively entering these markets. This needs to happen immediately and the Government should be doing everything it can to make sure it does.

How will the Minister ensure the least well-off farmers, in particular sheep and beef farmers who are going through a difficult period, will access the €105 million Brexit fund? Does he have any ideas in this regard or can he disclose how that will happen?

A separate €100 million was granted to food processors. Will conditions be attached to this fund to ensure, for instance, that low income farmers also benefit from it? Will a process be put in place ensure it is not handed out automatically and we do not find out afterwards that it did not get to where it was needed most? In my discussions with agriculture groups, they have made the valid point that when the rural environment protection scheme, REPS, started around 1994, anyone on €3,000 or €4,000 was eligible and, therefore, anyone on €18,500 should, by right, be eligible for any new REPS-type deal. That is not happening. Unfortunately, many farmers are still on such low incomes and get very little to survive on their farms. The €105 million investment is important. I ask the Minister to tell us what his plans are in that regard.