Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

Like other speakers I am glad of the opportunity to speak on this matter. We are in a difficult and unprecedented economic period and we must be realistic about the situation we face. We must work together to pull through the current financial downturn. Reactions to the announcements of the budgetary measures that affect agriculture have been unfair. However, they are understandable.

I wish to focus on some of the changes that will be introduced under the budget. The disadvantaged area payments will see more than 65,000 of the 102,000 participants experience no reductions in their payments. Participants with the average site holding of 31 hectares will not be affected by the Minister's decision. However, in fairness, I implore the Minister to restore the scheme to the way it was as soon as resources become available. The change particularly affects people on marginal land who have 45 or 50 hectares of low stocking density because of the quality of the land. That should be addressed and I am sure the Minister will do so as soon as funds are available.

The commitment to provide €250 million in funding for the suckler welfare scheme will be honoured in full. The installation aid and early retirement schemes, although suspended, will resume at the earliest possible date. Significant tax reliefs, worth an estimated €65 million annually, were extended in the budget. Some of these reliefs will be of particular benefit to young farmers, with stamp duty relief worth €53 million.

With regard to the farm waste management scheme, there will be no funding shortfall. All cases completed before 31 December will be paid between 2000 and 2009——

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