Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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We need to face the reality that over the past 12 to 15 years, the loss of farmers throughout Europe has been phenomenal. While people may live in fantasy, they still need food to stay alive. Whether people believe that are not, some obviously do not at the moment. People need to realise that. It would be useful if the witnesses could forward to the committee details of that French example. Members of the committee go to Brussels and, in fairness, Rebecca Walsh, Christy Haughton and the others do all the research for us. It is helpful to have new ideas in order to look at things differently. I fully agree that we need something to help young farmers. The major problem is that no more land is being made. I know that the price of land in France would be a fair bit lower than it is here.

A dairy farmer has to work seven days a week unless they can get a relief milker. That is for a girl or a lad regardless of who is at the farm. For people in their 20s, it definitely ties them down a bit more. Some people might be looking more towards it in their 30s. Every weekend, someone will say, "Are you gone again or what are you at?" We need to come up with solutions to make it attractive.

As I have said at many a meeting, people who have been on the land a long time have a tendency, which I am guilty of myself the odd time, to say people should go and educate themselves, get a good job and not rely on the land. If people keep saying that often enough, sooner or later, someone will listen.

We need a few things to happen in agriculture. We need a clear direction in which to go. We cannot have a situation whereby rules and regulations change on a regular basis. We also need incentives, as the witnesses have outlined, to encourage people into agriculture. We need solutions that enable people in farming to live the same life as anyone else, including having time off. That is becoming more important.

If the witnesses get a chance, they might send on the information we discussed. I thank Dr. Farrell, Dr. Murtagh and Mrs. Weir for attending.