John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It must be remembered that the option of employment outside farming is non-existent now, as it was a number of years ago.

The axing of the early retirement scheme is also hard to understand when many older farmers wish to pass on their family farm but are now unable to do so with support. It is another attack on older people who have worked tirelessly, all hours of the day, seven days a week for years and do not feel there is any appreciation for their dedication and commitment.

The cuts in the disadvantaged area payment scheme are another body blow to the smallest and weakest farmers. In my constituency of Mayo, farmers on the maximum 45 hectare limit will lose €1,300 per year. It affects 3,163 farmers in Mayo. If that loss is added to the cutback in the suckler cow welfare scheme, the average farmer in Mayo will be at a loss of €2,500. My county has 5,522 applicants for the suckler cow welfare scheme, the highest in the country.

The budget, instead of giving incentives to continue in or take up farming, is discouraging and shutting down farming as a career in rural Ireland. The sheep sector was also promised support and assistance but none has been forthcoming, as we can see from the ongoing protest down the road outside the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food since 26 November.

I join Deputy Neville in asking the Minister to live up to previous commitments he gave when he promised an EU single payment in Tullamore a few weeks ago and announced a €20 per ewe maintenance grant.

I appeal to the Minister to think again about the effects the implementation of these savage cuts will have on farmers. I appeal to each Deputy on the Government side when they come into this House tomorrow night to use this last opportunity to support an industry that has been the bedrock of this country since the foundation of the State.

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