Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I wonder whether the Minister knows at this stage what interest there has been in the actual seller quota. She may recall the sham that arose last year with the two announcements within 24 hours of each other which meant that literally no quota was sold. I understand her reasoning behind this new scheme was to release the maximum quota so that younger farmers and those interested could take it. My information is that there is no great enthusiasm among sellers at present. There appears to be an enormous lack of understanding as to how this system should work.

On the last part of my question on the future of the milk quota, since the Minister expressed her belief some time ago that it was ending, can she give the House any further indication of her stand in this regard and when it is likely to happen? It is only in this situation that farmers are able to gauge what they can afford to pay. From the information I have, certainly in the northern areas, the amount of money that is being offered by buyers is not so different from what the price is for the 30%. Is that the situation further down the country or can the Minister say whether there will be major differentials?

See this speech in context