M J Nolan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister's reply and the Department's commitment to the agricultural sector and to the dairy, beef and sheepmeat sectors in particular. Genuine concern exists within the farming sector regarding the future of farming in general and that of the dairy sector, which has been so good for Irish agriculture in recent years, in particular. Farmers and farm organisations seek a Government commitment to invest significantly in this sector in order that farmers can encourage members of their families to engage in farming and to avoid issues that might discourage farm families from continuing to farm.

I am also pleased to note the Minister has involved Enterprise Ireland in this sphere of investment because one must consider the bigger picture. Can the Minister predict, post 2013 or 2015, where these three agricultural sectors will be?

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