Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

It is evident from the Minister's phrase "many farmers opted to supplement their income" that she spent time with Carr Communications during the summer. As the Minister knows well, the majority of those farmers have been forced to supplement their income because they cannot make a basic living from agriculture. Is the reason Teagasc now puts forward figures on whole household income on farms, rather than farm income, an effort to cook the books in that regard?

What measures are being taken to try to address the situation where retailers dictate the farm gate price farmers receive for their product? At the ploughing championships over the past week, farmers told me that viability is the key issue for them. What are the Minister's plans for the modulation fund and how will these be communicated to farmers?

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