Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

We are facing a period of major change at farm and processing levels and in the administration supporting the sector. The Government will continue to lead the change agenda to ensure the agrifood sector can continue to develop to its maximum potential.

While the 2005 budget did much to enhance the well-being of every person in society, it was an extremely good budget for farmers. In addition to the general improvements in taxation and social welfare measures, the budget provided significant tax concessions for the farming community. I will allow my backbenchers to reiterate the measures to the Opposition.

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