Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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I thank Mr. Enright and Mr. Downey for their presentations. There is a common theme in both presentations regarding volatility with regard to income and particularly how it affects the weaker sector within the industry. The necessity and importance of the part of Mr. Downey's proposal on the €500 million funding for the rural development programme farmers being provided in this October's budget must be emphasised.

On the proposals in general, Mr. Enright mentioned that small holding penalties can be detrimental to people in the low income sector. I refer to single farm payment penalties and so forth. I share that view.

Regarding land mobility, tax reliefs and land consolidation, it seems simple in theory and if there is the political will, that can be resolved very easily. All it will take is a basic understanding of how that can happen, and it should be facilitated to happen.

I refer to the extra environmental costs and investment, particularly as we move towards the 2020 target, and the importance of on-farm investment to ensure the country meets its potential in that regard. Incentives should be put in place to encourage producers to reach that target.

One of Mr. Downey's suggestions was a phased transfer partnership, which would require an agreed transfer contract where both parent and child would work together. There is no definition of the age of the child, which might help. I am sure they are not talking about a nine month old child. That needs to be explained.

I am also encouraged by the suggestion regarding a tax deposit account, given the volatility of the market, the volatility of income and the role played by weather.

I refer to the situation two years ago. Farmers could be having a reasonably good year this year and would have a nice fairly good return and then maybe at the end of the year - such as happened with the fodder crisis two years ago- the gains could be lost and any further investment could be inhibited. There is much positive information in the presentations. However, I am concerned about how the child is, so to speak.