Johnny Brady (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

Young farmers are the future of the farming sector and it is incumbent on us to do all we can to support them as they seek to gain a foothold in the area.

With regard to farm waste management, there is no funding shortfall and works completed by 31 December will be paid. There will be taxpayer investment of at least €615 million over three years. The farm improvement scheme will be funded and the €79 million for farm investment will be honoured in full. Total expenditure for agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry sectors in 2009 will be worth €3.2 billion, a significant sum.

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