Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I welcome this discussion. I appreciated the speech made by the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, last night. We are fortunate to have an excellent Minister who has the confidence of farmers. I welcome the Ministers of State, Deputies Wallace and Sargent, and wish them well in their jobs.

The difference between the Opposition motion and the Government amendment is that the Opposition has simply set out a wish list, from which I would not greatly differ, whereas the amendment reflects the fact that the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has to work within the constraints and realities which flow mainly from Ireland's membership of the European Union.

In her speech, the Minister referred to the importance of the agrifood package that has been agreed under the national development plan. I was glad to be present earlier this year when she visited Tipperary Co-Op shortly after she announced it was to receive a substantial grant to expand its cheese-making facilities. The farm payment system is very efficient. It is interesting that this year's pre-budget Estimate for agriculture represents an increase of 9% on last year's figure. When Deputy Quinn produced his final Estimates as Minister for Finance in 1997, he provided £395 million, or slightly over €500 million, for agriculture. By contrast, it is envisaged that €1,359 million will be provided for in the 2008 agriculture Estimate, at least in advance of the budget.

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