Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)

How much money will it save — €8 million? The farming sector has been the last refuge of construction for months. Every penny being paid out in grant aid was being matched by the farming sector. The cost to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of employing staff in this area is €75,000. When will we see genuine reform rather than protectionism within that Department? I am not speaking of a witch hunt of excellent staff, but of officials who seek obscure European directives in order to create work.

The disconnect is apparent. I am speaking not only as a Deputy or a person living in rural Ireland, but as a farmer. There is little engagement, no understanding and no instinct as to what is the correct direction for the agricultural sector. What we need now is a general rather than a corporal taking instruction from his staff.

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