Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the Commissioner and thank him for his contribution. I am keen to know more about one issue. The Government is undertaking a review of the areas of natural constraint scheme and what will happen in this regard in the coming period. Many areas of natural constraint in Ireland correspond to the old disadvantaged areas. Over many years the areas have spread and grown. People in my part of the world in the north west are of the view that we are in a very disadvantaged area. We have marginal land and higher rainfall. Every disadvantage that can be put in our way is put in our way. I am interested in the views of the Commissioner with regard to how to address this in a way to ensure that farmers working in these areas can get a fairer and better slice of the cake. How do we ensure they will be supported better in future?

Deputy McConalogue raised another issue. It has always struck me that the Common Agricultural Policy is in place to support farmers. In effect, it is the real hand interfering in the market. At the same time, there are others who profiteer the most from food production. However, no one is taking control or putting in any hand to deal with that. Will that happen in future CAP reforms? What about the big multiples and processors? Will some hand be put in to deal with them as well?